COUNTY News:

Public Works Projects

Los Alamos County Public Works staff manages the projects listed in this section through contractors.

For more information, email lacpw@lacnm.us, call 505.662.8150, or visit the Public Works Project webpage at lacnm.com/PW-Projects.

Please slow down and use caution within the construction work zones.

Note: The below information is based on a schedule provided by the contractors and may change due to weather or other delays.

Public Works officials thank the community in advance for their cooperation and patience.

33rd/34th Street Road and Utility Improvements

Villa Street will be closed 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 14-18. Motorists must use the alternate route from the intersection of 34th Street and Villa to proceed to the intersection of 33rd Street and Villa (see map below).

TLC Plumbing and Utility will continue working on the roadway portion of the project, including new sidewalk and a driveway entrance, punch list items and cleanup of project.

Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Services such as mail delivery, trash and recycling collection, and emergency services will be maintained. Please contact the Public Works Department should you have special access needs. 

The transit bus stop on 33rd will be closed throughout the duration of the project. Riders can use the transit stop on 35th Street.

Map for the 33rd/34th Street Road and Utility Improvements projects. Courtesy/LAC

Loma Linda Road Improvements Project

Beginning Aug. 15, Albuquerque Asphalt Inc. is scheduled to start work in the Loma Linda neighborhood. The contractor will begin with mobilization, construction staking, and staging area setup, with construction to start soon after.

Project Scope: Removal of existing asphalt surface and installation of new asphalt surface, targeted concrete driveway aprons, sidewalks with drainage and ADA improvements. Street lighting improvements will also be included in this project. The project is scheduled for completion in June 2024 with a winter weather suspension period.

Questions/comments call James Malcom with the Public Works Department at 505.662.8150 or send an email to lacpw@lacnm.us

DP Road Construction Activity

Contractors for Qualcon Builders (Canyon Walk Apartments) will be trenching for a new electrical line off the north side of DP Road in the vicinity of the Knights of Columbus.

During these construction activities, one lane of DP Road around the Knights of Columbus may be closed for short periods. The contractor will have traffic control (flaggers) on site to direct traffic safely through the work area during these times. Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists are asked to use caution and follow the direction of the flaggers during this work.

Questions/comments call Keith Wilson with the Public Works Department at 505.663.1757 or send an email to keith.wilson@lacnm.us.

Traffic & Streets Projects

Los Alamos County Traffic & Streets Division staff manages the projects listed in this section. Please slow down and use caution within the construction work zones. Call Traffic and Streets Manager Daniel Blea for concerns 505.663.8206.

Asphalt Patching Continues in White Rock on Monte Vista Drive

Crews will continue asphalt patching in White Rock on Monte Vista Drive. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

Concrete Work on Sage and Oakwood Loops begins Aug. 14

Crews will be replacing a drive pad and sections of sidewalk on Sage and Oakwood loops beginning Monday, August 14. The sidewalks will be temporarily closed in this area with detour signs as needed. Crews will also be closing the trail that runs from Oakwood Loop to 11th St. to replace sections of sidewalk. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

Trail and Right of Way Cleaning on Sandia Drive and Trinity Loop Begins Aug. 14

Crews will be working along Sandia Drive and Trinity Loop cleaning trails and the right of way of debris and overgrown vegetation. Work will begin Aug. 14 and continue until completion. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. 

Utilities Projects: 

Los Alamos County Dept. of Public Utilities (DPU) staff manages the projects listed in this section. Please slow down and use caution within the construction work zones. Contact the Customer Care Center 505.662.8333, CustomerCare@lacnm.us or visit ladpu.com/Projects.

Trenching for Electric Continues on Barranca Mesa

DPU is replacing primary underground electric lines and conduit at the eastern end of Barranca Mesa. The project has been extended to continue through next week. 

DPU’s contractor, Paul Parker Construction Company, is excavating between 410 and 500 Navajo Road and south on Totavi Street. Excavation continues across the intersection of Totavi and Navajo and then through to the end of the Totavi cul-de-sac. Residents in the area should expect sidewalk closures and exercise caution while driving through the work zone. All trenching is on one side of the street.

Non-County Projects:

The following construction projects are not funded by Los Alamos County. Updates are included to keep residents informed of potential traffic impacts. Questions should be directed to the parties identified within each description. Please obey all traffic devices and slowdown in work zones.

Hilltopper Run 2023 – Canyon Rim Trail Closure Aug. 19

The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation, in coordination with TCR Productions, will sponsor the 2nd Annual Hilltopper Run Saturday, Aug. 19 on the Canyon Rim Trail in Los Alamos. The trail will be closed for public use at both ends (Smiths to the underpass on N.M. 502), 7 a.m. until noon. The race staging area will be at the Smith’s Marketplace parking lot at the west end of the Canyon Rim Trailhead. There will be flaggers situated on DP Road to assist participants across the road where the trail and DP Road meet. For questions regarding this event, contact Tom Rojas of TCR Productions, at 505.480.6423. 

Shoulder Work and Temporary Full Road Closure on North Mesa Road, South San Ildefonso Road and Diamond Drive

Kelly Cable NM will be removing and replacing overhead/aerial fiber on the north side of North Mesa Road from Hawk Drive to Loma Linda Drive, on the west side of South San Ildefonso Road near the roundabout, and on the north side of Diamond Drive at the roundabout. There will be shoulder closures with a flagging operation in each location. In addition to the flagging operation, there will be a temporary full road closure at each location when the construction company extends fiber lines across the road. Closures should last approximately 20-30 minutes each and will occur during non-peak hours (9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.) to avoid traffic congestion. Please plan your commute accordingly. Weather permitting the project will conclude Aug. 31. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Contact Charlie Lovato at 505.350.9252 for questions or concerns.

Flagging Operation on Sandia Drive, 49th and West Trinity Drive

Cablecom, LLC will be performing aerial/overhead overlash work along the south side of West Trinity Drive, east side of 49th St., and on the north side of Sandia Drive. There will be a moving flagging operation in place. Weather permitting, work should be completed by August 18. Work hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information regarding this project, contact Adrian Rivas at 505-225-5967.

Orange Street Shoulder Work

Cablecom, LLC will be performing aerial/overhead overlash work on the north side of Orange Street by the Family Strengths Network. The shoulder area will be closed. Weather permitting, the work should be completed by August 18. Work hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information regarding this project, contact Adrian Rivas at 505.225.5967.

NNSA – Update as of July 28, 2023: Construction Continuing on Phase 2 on Project to Make Improvements To N.M. 4/East Jemez Road Intersection

Striping Begins on Barranca Mesa Monday Aug. 14

Crews will begin laying out markings/lines in preparation to stripe the recently paved roads on Barranca Mesa. Work will start at the roundabout and continue towards Barranca Mesa. There will be a flagging operation in place. Traffic is asked to watch for crews, the striping machine, and fresh paint. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. For information regarding this project, contact Anthony Lucero at 505.795.3671.

NMDOT oversees and manages the construction project on N.M. 4/East Jemez Road

Crews are also working in both the southeast and southwest quadrants of the intersection on grading and installation of drainage pipeline. Construction on Phase 2 is expected to last through about late August, followed by Phases 3 and 4. The project is expected to be completed in late 2023.

To help reduce congestion, commuters are encouraged to carpool, vanpool, or take one of the many bus options. Atomic City Transit is available for Los Alamos locals, and multiple buses and park-and-ride shuttles currently serve the Laboratory, including the new Pojoaque Express that transports workers directly to TA-35 and TA-55 from the Cities of Gold Casino parking lot.

LANL employees can visit the Traffic News Hub for the latest information about traffic impediments on-site and en route to the Lab. Find shuttles, the LANL Taxi, vanpools, and more transit information on the LANL Transportation Hub. Community members can visit www.lacnm.com/driveless.

During Phase 2, the following traffic impacts will be in place:

• The southbound right lane of N.M. 4 is closed. Traffic is shifted to the east, with one lane of traffic open in each direction (north and south) to the intersection of N.M. 4 and East Jemez Road.
• Traffic on East Jemez is shifted to the south, with one lane of traffic open in each direction (east and west).
• Access to the parking area for the Bandelier National Monument Tsankawi Unit remains closed, with no alternative access provided.
• The speed limit throughout the construction area is reduced to 35 miles per hour. PLEASE SLOW DOWN AND OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT.
• MOTORISTS SHOULD EXPECT DELAYS AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH THEIR DESTINATIONS IN THE MORNING AND EVENING.

During construction, all existing travel lanes on N.M. 4 and East Jemez Road will remain open during peak travel times 6:30-8:30 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Any lane closures will occur during non-peak hours and flaggers will direct traffic. All construction is weather permitting and is subject to change without notice.

Motorists are encouraged to slow down and give themselves additional time to reach their destination. More construction phases will follow, with the project expected to be completed in late 2023.