New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson signed legislation Nov. 14 to finance $1.6 billion in highway construction and repairs. The roads package includes $60 million a year in fee and tax increases.

The new law will raise the state’s diesel tax from 18 cents a gallon to 21 cents. HB15 increases vehicle registration fees by 33 percent and imposes a 38 percent increase in the weight-distance tax.

Prior to the bill’s passage, Richardson told The Santa Fe New Mexican the increases would mainly affect out-of-state truckers.

“I think they’re reasonable fee increases,” he said. “These trucks, out-of-state trucks, are damaging our highways. They’re welcome here, but they should pay more.”

About 40 road projects are included in the plan, funded by additional dollars the new law will generate. Those include:

• Improvements on I-25 between Santa Fe and Bernalillo;
• Reconstruction of the Coors Interchange along I-40 in Albuquerque;
• Adding a third lane to I-25 in both directions between Albuquerque and Santa Fe; and
• Stretching U.S. 64 from Raton to Clayton to four lanes.

An amendment that would have required the state Transportation Department to respond to requests for oversize vehicle permits within 24 hours was vetoed.

“It’s unrealistic,” Richardson said.