Southern New Mexico highway reopens after mudslide, flooding

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Crews have cleared debris from flooding and a mudslide that closed a 7-mile (11-kilometer) stretch of U.S. 70 across San Augustine Pass east of Las Cruces for 24 hours.

The state Department of Transportation said the flooding and slide occurred Sunday night and the highway was reopened Monday night after crews cleared all four lanes of mud, rocks and trees.

The department said work continued Tuesday to remove remaining debris and to reopen on-off ramps for an entrance into White Sands Missile range.

U.S. 70 is a major travel route across southern New Mexico.