Mayor participates in ceremony for newly restored bridge

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Washington Avenue re-opens to traffic

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By: Kylie Garcia

GRANTS, N.M. - Restoring bridges in the community has been an important initiative to Mayor Martin “Modey” Hicks who has served for almost 14 years as an elected official. He previously served on the City of Grants Council and later was re-elected to a second term as mayor.

The most recent bridge project involved the structure on Washington Avenue, near Future Foundations Family Center and Mesa View Elementary School. It had been in the works for about three years.

From start to finish, replacing the bridge took about six months, and the project cost roughly $1.5 million. Even on such a cold wintery day, Hicks and everyone present at last week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony appeared extremely excited about the completed project. As for what this project means for the community, Hicks said, “It means that our infrastructure is getting done.”

During his time as mayor, seven bridges have been built and there is only one more, which will most likely begin construction at the end of his term in 2022 explained Hicks.

State Representative Harry Garcia, District 69, and State Senator Clemente Sanchez, District 30, played an important role in making the Washington Avenue bridge project happen. Other participants, in addition to the elected officials, who made notable contributions to the project included City Manager Laura Jaramillo, Special Projects Manager Donald Jaramillo, and Wilson & Company, Inc, the engineering firm which oversaw the entire project, according to Mayor Hicks,

The mayor emphasized that this was a joint project and that he wanted to thank everyone involved. After the ceremony, which took place on site the morning of Dec. 23 everyone safely enjoyed some beverages, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and a cake made especially for the completion of yet another bridge restoration project.