Regional Officials Celebrate Long Delayed Pinon Hills Extension Project with Gov.

Friday, August 19, 2022 at 3:28 PM

Map of Phase I and Phase II of the Pinon Hills Extension Project.

The state investment will total $39.9 million in ARPA funds appropriated to the New Mexico Department of Transportation. The project has also received $1.5 million in congressionally directed spending for a total commitment of $41.3 million.

From New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

Friday, July 19, 2022

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday was joined by local and county officials to announce nearly $40 million in state funding for the Pinon Hills Extension project in Farmington.

First studied more than 20 years ago, the Pinon Hills Extension project is a regionally significant collaboration between the City of Farmington and San Juan County to extend Pinon Hills Blvd. from NM 516 (Main Street), southeast across the Animas River, to connect with County Road 3000, and tie in with Wildflower Parkway. The state investment will total $39.9 million in ARPA funds appropriated to the New Mexico Department of Transportation. The project has also received $1.5 million in congressionally directed spending for a total commitment of $41.3 million.

“After 20 years of planning and consultations, I am excited to announce a state investment of $40 million dollars for the construction of the Pinon Hills Extension project in San Juan County,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “This is one of many critical roads investments the state is making to improve public safety, reduce travel times, and unlock additional economic opportunities for New Mexico communities.”

“I know I join the residents of Farmington and San Juan County in thanking Senators Heinrich and Luján and Representatives Leger Fernández and Stansbury for their work to deliver this transformative funding in the American Rescue Plan Act,” the governor added.

“This is an incredible example of how working collaboratively can yield incredible results for our communities,” said Farmington Mayor Nate Duckett. “I am grateful to Gov. Lujan Grisham and every partner working to make this critical project a reality.”

This additional river crossing will allow quicker response times for emergency services to sections of unincorporated San Juan County and help reduce traffic congestion on the two primary Animas River crossings at County Road 350 and Browning Parkway. The Farmington Metropolitan Planning Organization’s long-range plan also identifies the Pinon Hills Blvd. Extension as a possible future freight corridor, further alleviating traffic congestion and mixed traffic in the heavily traveled business areas of Farmington. Phase 1 of construction is scheduled to begin in March of 2023.

More from Local News

Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.
Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.
Three Injured in Farmington Shooting, Suspect Arrested

It was discovered that several individuals had been injured. A juvenile sustained a graze wound, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg, and an 18-year-old was shot in the chest and transported to Albuquerque in critical condition. The vehicle involved in the crash is connected to the shooter. At this time, the shooter has been identified as an 18-year-old male.
Woman Injured in Shooting, Suspect Arrested

As three individuals tried to leave a party, a male subject began shooting, unintentionally striking the vehicle and, subsequently, a passenger inside the vehicle. The passenger was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center and later transported to UNM in Albuquerque, where she is awake and in stable condition.
Arrest Made in Fatal Hit & Run

Using multiple means of evidence, the driver was identified as Alvin Paul who was driving a 2003 white Chevrolet when he veered off the road, hitting Shirley. Paul did not stop or report the crash and surveillance footage from a nearby business proved Paul as the driver. He later admitted to operating the vehicle carelessly. At the time of the crash, Paul’s driver’s license was revoked from a prior DWI arrests. He has two prior DWI convictions and is currently on probation for the second DWI.
Candidates File for Municipal Elections

Candidates filed for municipal elections today. Elections will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.