Gathering Information
Phase 1A
Establishing a Preliminary Understanding of the I-40 Prewitt Interchange.
Phase 1A precedes detailed analysis and alternative screening in Phase 1B. This initial phase establishes baseline conditions crucial for future design decisions.

Safety Conditions
Summer of 2024, our study team began Phase 1A of the I-40 Prewitt Interchange reconstruction project, focusing on existing conditions analysis and initial alternatives development.
The phase includes studying current safety concerns at Exit 63, including damaged guardrails and insufficient turn radius for commercial vehicles at the westbound off-ramp onto Route 66/ NM 122.

Damaged Guardrail at I-40 Exit 63
Semi-Truck Turning at I-40 Exit 63
Road Conditions
​Additional existing road conditions that were noted by the study team include:​​​
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The existing road over I-40, Pillowcrest Road, will limit future I-40 improvements identified and recommended by the 2024 NMDOT I-40 Corridor Study.
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Insufficient lane lengths for safe acceleration and deceleration for on/off ramps.
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Public Involvement
On Oct. 9, 2024, the first public meeting was held to inform the community of the upcoming study. A public comment period was held through Nov. 9, 2024, gather community input on driver experience within the study area. Feedback gathered will help the study team understand how the existing interchange serves you and where improvements are needed most. To view materials from the public meeting, click on the button below.