New Mexico’s $5.6B Road Backlog Puts Trucking and Economy at Risk

Source: NM information

Santa Fe — New Mexico’s highways are deteriorating under the weight of a $5.6 billion road backlog. The funding shortfall has left infrastructure in poor shape, raised costs for drivers, and disrupted freight movement across the state.

In 2011, about 75% of the state’s roads were in acceptable condition. By 2023, that number had dropped to 69%. Each year of delay adds to the backlog and makes repairs more expensive.

Truck drivers are among the hardest hit. Poor pavement causes faster wear and tear on equipment, forces costly repairs, and leads to delivery delays. The average New Mexico driver already loses more than $2,000 annually due to poor roads — a figure that multiplies for carriers operating fleets.

Yet every dollar invested in road repairs produces about $3.40 in economic returns, supporting jobs and improving freight efficiency.

With a $1.3 billion annual transportation budget, the state is struggling to keep up. Proposals to raise revenue — including gas tax adjustments, delivery surcharges, or higher registration fees — have stalled in the legislature. The state gas tax has been frozen at 17 cents per gallon since 1996.

Without new funding, truck drivers can expect more downtime, higher operating costs, and increased safety risks. For New Mexico’s economy, the stakes are clear: investing in roads today is essential to prevent even greater costs tomorrow.