New Mexico is one step closer to improving highways.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would give the state billions of dollars for transit needs, which would affect Southern New Mexico.

The five year highway bill SAFETEA (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act) passed the Senate yesterday.

The improvements include:

$6 million for four-lane construction of 3.6 miles of McNutt Road near Airport Road in Sunland Park.

$4 million for four-lane reconstruction of N. Valley Dr. (NM 185) in Las Cruces.

$3.5 million for the rehabilitation of the Avenida de Mesilla (NM 28) overpass on I-10 in Las Cruces.

$3.8 million to rehabilitate the NM 478 interchange at I-10 in Las Cruces

$3 million to reconstruct .77 miles of US 70 in Las Cruces, north of Picacho Ave.

$3 million to complete the Sunland Park Drive extension from Rio Grande to NM 273, which would include a new bridge.