
The alternatives were presented during a public meeting Tuesday evening at the Mimbres Valley Learning and Special Events Center.
One alternative would be east of Deming, with traffic diverted off the Columbus Highway south of Waterloo, then north on Ventura Road to the Old Las Cruces Highway.
The other two alternatives are west of Deming and would utilize Hermanas Road.
One would divert traffic south of Elote Road, direct it west to Hermanas Road, then north, installing an overpass to cross Interstate 10 and routing the traffic east to the Hatch Highway.
The third option would divert the traffic off the Columbus Highway at Sunshine Road, then north on Hermanas Road to the frontage road along Interstate 10.
There was some confusion surrounding the route alternatives because the engineers listed “Palomino Road,” which was a name used for Hermanas Road years ago during the conversion to E911 rural addressing.
The study, funded by the Economic Development Administration, was prompted by the anticipated increase in vehicle and commercial freight traffic with the expansion of the Columbus port of entry.
A final recommendation from Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers and Architects is expected in February.
Any decision would be made by the Luna County Commissioners.