Navajo Times

Gallup Overpass Stated "Definite"

The highway commissioner for the Gallup area advised Gallup Mayor Edward that primary funds covering construction of a Gallup overpass have been allocated by the commission for expenditure during the 1962-63 budget of the commission.

A petition bearing 734 names had been accepted by the town board. This petition requested an overpass over the Santa Fe Railroad tracks in Gallup.

Munoz said, "The problem of obtaining an overpass has been full of pitfalls and discouragements. However, during the past three years tremendous progress has been made toward making this dream for Gallup a reality."

A plan set up two years ago to construct the overpass as a part of Interstate 40 through Gallup was outlined by Munoz.

"This would mean," Munoz said, "a large amount of the expenditure to be paid would be from 92 per cent federal participation."

Two years ago Herkenhoff and Associates of Albuquerque was retained to design the overpass. The money is available and committed to this design work.

According to Munoz the design work should be completed by fall.

Alignment for the Interstate Route and the overpass have been determined and established.

"I thank the petitioners for the petition presented," Munoz said, "and I am particularly gratified that they recognize that this is a government problem, and one which should be, and is being faced up to by the town of Gallup and McKinley County.

"Unfortunately, this vast project cannot be planned, designed and completed within a short period of time. I do feel, however, that if the present course is continued without interruption or interference and left to those charged with the responsibility of obtaining it for the town, that before too long the town of Gallup will, in fact, have its overpass."