(The Associated Press circulated the following on August 7.)
SANTA FE, N.M. — The state Department of Transportation has awarded a $115 million contract to build new tracks that will be used for a commuter rail service to Santa Fe.
A joint venture of Twin Mountain Construction II Company of Albuquerque and the Missouri-based Herzog Companies won the contract. They will build 18 miles of new track from near La Bajada to the southern edge of Santa Fe.
The Rail Runner Express will use the BNSF rail line from Albuquerque to La Bajada and then into Waldo Canyon. The new track will enter the I-25 median just north of the Santa Fe rest stop along the highway.
Construction is to begin in September and the department estimates it will be finished in November 2008.
Herzog has a contract to operate and maintain the commuter rail service, which currently runs between Belen and Bernalillo.