New Mexico’s Route 66 Honored with National Perpetual Pavement Award Ahead of Historic 100-Year Celebration
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – As America prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026, the Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA) and the Asphalt Pavement Association of New Mexico (APANM) are proud to announce that the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Perpetual Pavement Award. The award will be presented during the New Mexico State Transportation Commission meeting on September 18, 2025, in Albuquerque. The honor recognizes a nearly nine-mile section of New Mexico Route 6—part of the original Route 66 alignment opened in 1928—that continues to stand as a model of durability, design excellence, and cultural preservation. This two-lane highway, which still carries more than 3,200 vehicles daily, has withstood nearly a century of use despite New Mexico’s extreme climate swings, challenging soils, and seasonal monsoons. Through innovative asphalt technologies and careful preservation, the roadway remains both historically authentic and structurally sound—never once experiencing a structural failure.
Route 66: A Century of Culture, Connectivity, and Engineering Excellence
Commissioned in 1926, Route 66 is more than just a road—it is the “Mother Road”, a symbol of American mobility and resilience. New Mexico’s 474-mile stretch—the longest in the nation—connected generations of families, truckers, and travelers moving westward through Tucumcari, Albuquerque, Gallup, and beyond. From serving as a lifeline during the Dust Bowl to fueling postwar tourism and small-town economies, Route 66 has long been a driver of cultural and economic vitality. Its roadside motels, diners, and neon signs became iconic images of American freedom and adventure, while its pavement carried the very traffic that shaped communities across the Southwest.
Honoring History, Embracing Innovation
The Perpetual Pavement Award celebrates more than endurance—it recognizes the balance of heritage preservation and modern engineering. On Route 6, New Mexico engineers utilized reinforced subgrades, advanced drainage solutions, and sustainable asphalt designs while never increasing the pavement section by more than four inches, preserving the historic character of the roadway. “As we look toward the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026, this award underscores how smart engineering can honor our history while building for the future,” said Dan Lewis, Executive Director of APANM. “New Mexico has shown that asphalt pavements, when properly designed and maintained, can last for generations.”
National Recognition
Since 2001, the APA’s Perpetual Pavement Award program has honored 217 pavements in 36 states and Canada, with winning projects ranging in age from 34 to 102 years. New Mexico’s recognition for Route 6 is a fitting tribute as the nation prepares to celebrate the century mark of Route 66, ensuring that this iconic highway remains both a cultural treasure and a modern engineering achievement.
Looking Ahead: The Centennial in 2026
As part of Route 66’s centennial, New Mexico will join states across the country in hosting restoration projects, commemorative events, and tourism initiatives to celebrate the enduring legacy of America’s most famous highway. NMDOT and APANM will continue to showcase how sustainable pavement design and historic preservation go hand-in-hand to keep Route 66 alive for future generations.
About the Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA):
The Asphalt Pavement Alliance (www.driveasphalt.org) is a coalition of the National Asphalt Pavement Association, the Asphalt Institute, and the State Asphalt Pavement Associations. Its mission is to establish asphalt as the preferred choice for quality, performance, and sustainability.
About the Asphalt Pavement Association of New Mexico (APANM):
APANM represents producers, suppliers, contractors, engineers, agencies, and affiliates across New Mexico. Through education, advocacy, and partnerships, APANM advances excellence in asphalt pavement design, construction, and maintenance.
