This rule was filed as: 18 NMAC 20.9.

TITLE 18 TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS

CHAPTER 20 TRAFFIC SAFETY

PART 9 DESIGNATION OF HIGHWAY ROUTES FOR TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIV

MATERIALS

18.20.9.1 ISSUING AGENCY: New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department, Post Office Box 1149, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-1149 (505) 827-0427.

[Recompiled 11/16/01]

18.20.9.2 SCOPE: The rule covers specific designated Highway routes as designated by the New Mexico State Highway Commission for the protection of the general public in the transport of highway route controlled quantities of radioactive materials" within the state of New Mexico to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) site near Carlsbad, New Mexico.

[Recompiled 11/16/01]

18.20.9.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: NMSA 1978, Section 74-4A-1.

[Recompiled 11/16/01]

18.20.9.4 DURATION: Permanent.

[Recompiled 11/16/01]

18.20.9.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: April 30, 1999, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section or paragraph.

[Recompiled 11/16/01]

18.20.9.6 OBJECTIVE: The objective of this rule is to comply with Federal Government requirements that highway route controlled quantities of radioactive materials," as defined in 49 C.F.R., Section 177.403, shall be transported over designated routes within the state, primarily over Interstate System Highways to the extent possible or over state designated preferred routes as an alternative to, or in addition to, Interstate System.

18.20.9.7 DEFINITIONS: As used in this rule unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

A. "Interstate System Highways" means every state highway that is a part of a national system of interstate and defense highways established pursuant to Section 103(b), Title 23, United States Code.

B. Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)" means the underground repository located near Carlsbad, [Recompiled 11/16/01]

18.20.9.8 DESIGNATIONS: Pursuant to United States Department of Transportation regulations, 49 C.F.R. Section 177.825, the state designated preferred routes are as follows:

A. Northern Route -- From the Colorado New Mexico border south on I-25 through Raton, Springer, and Las Vegas to the junction of I-25 and US 285 near Santa Fe; south on US 285 through Clines Corners, Encino, Vaughn, Roswell (along the Roswell Relief Route) and Artesia to the junction of US 285 and US 62/180 in Carlsbad; east on US 62/180 to the WIPPnorth access road. If and when Artesia and Carlsbad Relief Routes are available, they shall be used instead of the route through each respective city. Currently posted truck routes" shall not be used.

B. Western Route -- From the Arizona New Mexico border east on I-40 through Gallup, Thoreau, Grants, Albuquerque and Moriarty to the junction of I-40 and US 285 at Clines Corners; south on US 285 through Encino, Vaughn, Roswell (along the Roswell Relief Route) and Artesia to the junction of US 285 and US 62/180 in Carlsbad; east on US 62/180 to the WIPPnorth access road. If and when Artesia and Carlsbad Relief Routes are available, they shall be used instead of the route through each respective city. Currently posted truck routes" shall not be used.

C. Eastern Route -- From the Texas New Mexico border west on I-40 through Tucumcari to the junction of I-40 and US 54 at Santa Rosa; west on US 54 through Pastura to the junction of US 54 and US 285 at Vaughn; south on US 285 through Roswell (along the Roswell Relief Route) and Artesia to the junction of US 285 and US 62/180 in Carlsbad; east on US 62/180 to the WIPPnorth access road. If and when Artesia and Carlsbad Relief Routes are available, they shall be used instead of the route through each respective city. Currently posted truck routes" shall not be used.

D.Southern Route -- From the Texas New Mexico border north on US 285 through Loving to the Junction on US 285 and US 62/180 in Carlsbad; east on US 62/180 to the WIPPnorth access road. If and when a south Carlsbad Relief Route is available, it shall be used instead of the route through the city. Currently posted truck routes" shall not be used.

E. Los Alamos National Laboratory -- From the Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos County east on the Los Alamos Truck Route to the junction of the Los Alamos Truck Route and NM 4; east on NM 4 to the junction of NM 4 and NM 502; east on NM 502 to the junction of NM 502 and US 84/285 at Pojoaque; south on US 84/285 to the junction of US 84/285 and NM 599; south on NM 599 to the junction of NM 599 and I-25; north on I-25 to the junction of I-25 and US 285; south on US 285 through Clines Corners, Encino, Vaughn, Roswell (along the Roswell Relief Route) and Artesia to the junction of US 285 and US 62/180 in Carlsbad; east on US 62/180 to the WIPPnorth access. If and when the Artesia and Carlsbad Relief Routes are available, they shall be used instead of the route through each respective city. Currently posted truck routes" shall not be used, except for the Los Alamos Truck Route as stated above.

[Recompiled 11/16/01]

HISTORY OF 18.20.9 NMAC:

Pre-NMAC Regulatory Filing History:

The material in this Part was derived from that previously filed with the State Records and Archives under: SHTD Rule 91-3, Designation of Highway Routes for the Transport of Radioactive Materials, filed August 23, 1991.

History of Repealed Material: [RESERVED]