Award of a $235,683.40 contract for construction of 9.511 miles of graded roadway and untreated surface on Indian reservation lands in New Mexico was announced today by the Department of the Interior.
The project is located between Torreon and Johnson's Trading Post in the checkerboard section of the eastern Navajo Reservation. The segment being improved serves as a part of an access road from New Mexico Route 44, near Cuba, to Torreon. The New Mexico State Highway Commission has agreed to complete the section from Johnson's Trading Post to Highway 44.
The new road will permit regular scheduling of school buses and promote regular attendance of the approximately 175 Indian children at the public school at Cuba, New Mexico, as provided for by the Bureau of Indian Affairs' educational program. This road will also serve as an outlet for the isolated section in the vicinity of Torreon where the Bureau maintains a boarding school.
In adverse weather during the school term it has been almost impossible to maintain a supply service on a regular schedule and operate buses serving the school facilities.
Funds for this improvement are provided from regular appropriated funds for the improvement of the Navajo Road System.
James Hamilton Construction Company of Grants, New Mexico, submitted the low bid of $235,683.40.
Twelve other bids were received ranging from $238,380.16 to $374,959.72.
