News Release

Sept. 4, 2003

Cerrillos Road Gas Line Replacement Begins Sept. 8

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT Susan Sponar Telephone: (505) 241-2768

Santa Fe: Important safety and reliability improvements to a gas line under northbound Cerrillos Road will cause the closure of one northbound lane to traffic beginning Monday, Sept. 8.

"We are committed to working quickly and with as little disruption as possible to local businesses, residents and motorists," said Deborah O'Callaghan, PNM's director of North Central Operations. "We appreciate everyone's patience as we make this important safety and reliability upgrade to our gas infrastructure."

PNM will install approximately 14,000 feet of new gas line under Cerrillos Road from Cordova Road to near Siler Road. The new gas line will be installed in seven sections of approximately 2,000 feet each, with each section taking no more than three weeks. During each three-week period, work will move along the work section in a way that doesn't block more than 800 feet of road at any given time. The new gas line will be made of coated steel pipe and durable polyethylene pipe, replacing the current bare steel pipe.

The initial work section will run from Cordova Road south to approximately Tesuque Street and then proceed southwest on Cerrillos Road. The seventh and final section of new gas main will be installed under Cordova Road and Pen Road. PNM expects to complete the project by early February.

Work will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until dark Monday through Thursday. On Saturdays and Sundays, work will begin at 7 a.m. and continue until dark. There will be no work on Fridays, due to higher traffic that day. The right-hand lane will be re-opened to traffic during non-construction hours.

PNM encourages motorists to check for lane closures and project updates online at www.cerrillosroad.com and clicking on the PNM logo. PNM has also created a project hotline that residents and business owners can call to get up-to-date project information and record their questions or comments. The hotline number is 438-6984. A PNM representative will check the hotline messages regularly.

PNM will also hold weekly construction update meetings at the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce office, located in the Santa Fe Premium Outlets at 8380 Cerrillos Road, Suite 302. The meetings will be held every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., beginning Sept. 9 and continuing until construction is completed. Any affected businesses are welcome to attend.

The project is part of PNM's ongoing effort to improve the safety and reliability of its gas infrastructure throughout New Mexico.