US 180 Bridge Protection Project near Cliff

planned

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is planning a project to protect the U.S. 180 highway bridge over the Gila River near Cliff from possible future flooding. The project includes environmental surveys, design plans, and phased construction starting in fall 2027. Options include adding large culverts adjacent to the current bridge to increase water flow capacity, regrading the river, bank stabilization, and nature-based solutions to reduce flood risks while minimizing environmental impact. The project is funded by a $10 million federal grant from the PROTECT program and aims to extend the bridge's life, which currently has about 30 years remaining.