NMDOT preps roads for winter

SANTA FE (AP) - The Department of Transportation says $20 million will be spent on repairing New Mexico roads and bridges to ensure they're properly maintained as winter approaches.

The state Transportation Commission approved the use of the money from the department's fund balances.

Transportation Secretary Alvin Dominguez said the agency plans to spend the money quickly to protect highways and bridges from potential damage by winter weather.

Earlier this year, Gov. Susana Martinez vetoed highway maintenance legislation. The governor said the proposal was flawed because it allocated $20 million from the state road fund for maintenance projects but offset that with just $12 million from a transfer of tax revenue from car and truck sales.

The governor said cuts in other transportation expenses would have been necessary to make up the difference.