The intersection of Urban Street and North Road now features a four-way stop. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

In the aftermath of a tragedy Los Alamos County took measures to make its roadways safer.

Los Alamos resident Brian Easton was killed by a vehicle as he walked across the intersection at Urban Street and North Road on March 14.

His death spurred members of the Girl Scouts Pajarito Service Unit to present a citizen petition April 7 to Los Alamos County Council that pushed for a four-way or all-way stop at the intersection.

Council unanimously agreed that staff should investigate a four-way stop. After conducting research and doing an analysis, County staff determined a four-way stop was warranted and the additional signs were erected June 3.

Public Works Director Eric Martinez and Deputy Director Keith Wilson reported on the change during a June council work session.

Martinez explained the decision for a four-way “was made after careful analysis, using the criteria set out in the manual on uniform traffic control devices, which governs the placement of traffic devices pursuant to County code, which also provides the operational responsibility of installing traffic devices to the County traffic engineer.

“With all this information known to us and given council’s desire to address this petition as soon as possible, the team had enough information to implement a four-way stop.”

While traffic and accident data was used in the evaluation, including Easton’s death, Martinez said the physical characteristics of this intersection led to the decision to make the intersection a four-way stop.

Wilson went more in depth about these characteristics. He described what was at the intersection previously. Wilson said Urban Street and North Road create a crossroad intersection. The stop control was on North Road as it approaches Urban Street. Urban Street, he said, was basically free-flowing. Other infrastructure located at the intersection included an Atomic City Transit bus stop and a pickup area for Los Alamos Public Schools buses.

Looking at traffic volumes at the intersection, Wilson said, “Overall … the traffic volumes would not be a congestion concern if the intersection was turned into an all-way stop. We are well within the capacity limits for that type of intersection.”

He further noted that in reviewing the intersection’s crash history from January 2019 to March 2026, there were eight crashes. One was fatal, three resulted in injuries and four had property damage. Seven of these accidents were caused by either not stopping at the stop sign or turning and striking an oncoming vehicle. Wilson said it was concluded that a four-way stop would help prevent these accidents.

In reviewing the speed data, Wilson said drivers follow the speed limit, which is 25 mph. He reported that 85 percent of vehicles drive at or below 27-28 mph and the speed pace is 19-28 mph.

“Overall, the speeds were not a concern,” he said.

Neither is there a concern for the sight distance, which is visibility when you look both ways for vehicles, on the northbound approach of North Road at the intersection. Although Wilson said there are some slight obstructions on the southbound approach on North Road. In determining whether to install a four-way stop, Wilson said there are five pieces of criteria to consider.

These criteria are:

• Crash experience;
• Sight distance;
• Transition to signal or roundabout;
• Eight-hour volumes; and
• Other factors (such as if two intersecting roadways have a similar classification or functionality).

Wilson said that based on the other factors criteria and the possible obstruction to sight distance on the southbound approach, an all-way stop could be installed. So, on June 3 the intersection was converted to an all-way stop. Additional stop signs were erected along with advanced warning signage informing that traffic conditions have been changed were also installed. These additional signs will stay in place at least through the end of August.

Wilson commended the traffic and streets crew for their work.

“Our traffic crews who are the awesomest bunch of guys ever – whatever we ask of them they get it done,” he said. “I want to give them a big shout-out for getting this done within a week of us making the determination to move forward.”