Final design completed for long-planned NM 139 border connector
State transportation officials have completed the final design for the NM 139 Border Highway Connector, a planned roadway linking NM 136 and NM 273 to support freight movement and cross-border development.
The project would link Santa Teresa and Sunland Park, shaping future freight, trade and regional mobility
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
SANTA TERESA / SUNLAND PARK - The New Mexico Department of Transportation has completed the final design for the NM 139 Border Highway Connector, advancing a long-planned project intended to improve mobility and freight access in the state’s border region.
A new link between Santa Teresa and Sunland Park
The connector would run between NM 136, also known as Pete V. Domenici Boulevard, and NM 273, or McNutt Road. The route is designed to create a more direct connection between the Santa Teresa Port of Entry, the City of Sunland Park and nearby industrial areas that rely heavily on cross-border trade.
State officials say the project is expected to ease congestion and support continued industrial growth in one of New Mexico’s most active commercial corridors.
Why the final design matters
Completing the final design means the project has finished major engineering work and cleared required environmental documentation. It is a key step that allows NMDOT and the New Mexico Border Authority to begin preparing for right-of-way acquisition and future construction bidding.
Federal funding for the project has been secured through the Federal Highway Administration’s INFRA Grant Program, positioning the connector to move forward once land acquisition and contracting are complete.
Regional impact and safety considerations
NMDOT District One Engineer Aaron Chanvarria, P.E., said the project will play a significant role in cross-border commerce and regional development.
“This project represents a transformative step forward for cross-border trade, community connectivity and the continued development of the Santa Teresa region,” Chanvarria said.
Officials also say the connector is expected to improve safety by reducing heavy-truck traffic on local roads not built for high-volume freight movement.
Timeline and next steps
Right-of-way acquisition and pre-construction activities are expected to continue through 2026. Because of the project’s scale and terrain, construction is projected to take two to three years.
The connector is expected to open to the public in 2028 or 2029.
NMDOT and the New Mexico Border Authority will share updates as the project progresses. More information is available at www.nm-139.com.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
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