Damaged Highway 60 bridge leaves Magdalena residents facing long detours

Flooding closed Highway 60 outside Socorro following structural issues on a local bridge. The roadway shutdown forces drivers from Magdalena to navigate washed-out dirt roads or detour over 100 miles.

Storms brought heavy rain on Tuesday, causing dangerous travel conditions and road closures across New Mexico. Standing water remains in several areas. Officials are dealing with washed-out routes across Socorro County.

The bridge foundation took direct damage during the heavy runoff. Ami Evans, a Public Information Officer with the New Mexico Department of Transportation, explained the situation.

“We did have the arroyo right there run pretty heavy, which has in turn kind of washed out the footing of that bridge,” Evans said.

The closure blocks the primary route connecting Magdalena to Socorro. Residents rely on the corridor for employment, food supplies and emergency care.

“It’s important for us to get to Socorro because that is where the medical facilities are; that’s where our ambulances transport injured and sick people to,” said Village of Magdalena Mayor Michael Thompson.

NMDOT is evaluating the damaged structure. The agency has not released a timeline for repairs. Drivers must take dirt paths or travel more than a hundred miles.

Acting on the governor’s behalf, Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales signed five emergency executive orders. The orders release $3.75 million in emergency funds. The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will distribute the money.

“We’re working together with every county and every municipality, every village that has been impacted and working to make sure that we can assist, whether it’s for debris removal or immediate needs that are in place right now,” Morales said.

Storm damage also interrupted trash collection services in Albuquerque. Heavy rainfall created muddy ground along the sole access route to the Cerro Colorado landfill.

“Right now, it is so muddy they can’t ,there’s only one road that gets up there. So this has created a massive line and backlog for us to be able to empty our trash,” said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller.

The Albuquerque Solid Waste Department told residents to leave uncollected bins outside. Crews will empty them when possible. City officials said they are coordinating with homeowners associations to avoid fines.

State emergency declarations allow agencies to free up funding for infrastructure repairs following natural disasters. Municipal departments often alter collection routes and public transit schedules during storm recovery efforts.

Highway crews continue structural inspections throughout Socorro County. Detours remain in place.