President Buu Nygren, N.M. Transportation Secretary Advance Route 64, Shiprock Bridge Plans

President Buu Nygren met with N.M. Transportation Secretary Ricky Serna in Santa Fe to review progress on U.S. Route 64 and push Shiprock bridge and safety priorities that directly affect families who travel the corridor every week. The meeting focused on coordinating construction, maintenance, and short-term traffic safety measures for the Shiprock area.

The meeting took place Feb. 10 in Santa Fe and brought the two leaders together to review construction progress on U.S. Route 64, particularly the stretch “between the state line and Shiprock.” President Buu Nygren highlighted visible improvements along the corridor and said, “We’ve been dreaming of this road being worked on since I was a little kid.” He noted the excitement he continues to hear from his home community as work advances on this long-awaited project.

N.M. Transportation Secretary Ricky Serna reported that the Shiprock bridge replacement remains a priority and said the bridge design is being developed to connect into the Route 64 corridor, addressing long-standing traffic flow and safety concerns while the state pursues viable funding strategies to move the project forward. Officials framed the design work and corridor connection as coordinated planning steps meant to smooth traffic patterns and reduce collision risks once the replacement is built.

While larger engineering and funding decisions proceed, leaders committed to immediate, practical steps to protect people near the Shiprock flea market. They agreed to implement “enhanced signage and pedestrian safety improvements” to address pressing dangers for drivers and pedestrians in the short term. Those measures aim to reduce risk while the longer-term bridge and intersection work are developed.

The meeting also tackled recurring maintenance challenges along key routes, including “cattle guards filling with sand” and “debris accumulating along fence lines.” President Nygren and Secretary Serna agreed to pursue intergovernmental agreements that allow for coordinated cleanup and maintenance work and to schedule an on-site field visit with Navajo Nation leadership, natural resources, and legal teams to finalize right-of-way and maintenance frameworks. That visit is intended to clarify responsibilities and speed routine fixes that hamper travel and safety.

Officials discussed improving coordination on capital outlay funding for these priorities, though no funding amounts or timelines were announced. The Feb. 10 meeting builds on President Nygren’s earlier outreach, which included remarks at the New Mexico State Capitol and a Feb. 6 meeting with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to advance related solutions.

For residents who use Route 64 and travel near Shiprock, the takeaways are concrete: visible progress is underway, short-term safety upgrades are coming, and state and Navajo Nation leaders have committed to coordinated planning and on-the-ground follow-up. Expect updates as funding strategies and the on-site field visit move from planning to action.