COUNTY News:
Public Works Projects:
The projects listed in this section are being managed by County Public Works staff through contractors.
For more information, please e-mail lacpw@lacnm.us, call 505.662.8150 or visit the “Projects/Public Works” link.
Please slow down and use caution within the construction work zones. Please note the below information is based on a schedule provided by the contractors and may change due to weather or other delays.
Canyon Road Reconstruction
TLC Plumbing and Utility, under contract with the Los Alamos County Public Works Department has completed Phase 1 of the three-phase project on Central Avenue and Canyon Road This first phase of Canyon Road will reopen to traffic Aug. 9. The intersection at Central and Canyon Road will remain closed to through traffic until Aug. 15. Access to the United Church, Nature Center and Jewish Center will continue to be from the east on Canyon Road at this time.
Phase 2 of Canyon Road construction will begin Aug. 9 at the Aquatic Center western driveway and continue to 39th Street This work is scheduled through the end of August.
Access to the Aquatic Center and Canyon Village Apartments will now be provided from the east via Central Avenue LAPS Staff Parking Lot and IHM Catholic Church will continue to be accessible from the west via Diamond Drive and Canyon Road through the work zone.
Sidewalk closures are posted with detour signage to keep pedestrians clear of the work zone.
Atomic City Transit and Park and Ride staff have adjusted bus routes accordingly. Services such as mail delivery, trash and recycling collection, and emergency services will be maintained.
Phase 3 begins Oct. 1 and will complete the final pavement surface between the Aquatic Center and the Nature Center. Completion of all three phases of the project is scheduled at the end of November 2022.
Construction hours are 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. To stay on-schedule and avoid weather delays, crews will have an earlier start time. Motorists and pedestrians are asked to use caution around construction activities, avoid entering the work zone and obey all work zone signage. Motorists are asked to utilize Trinity Drive as much as possible as the main thoroughfare between neighborhoods and the downtown area.
The Tennis Courts on Canyon Road will remain closed, as the area is being utilized as an equipment staging area for the duration of the project.
Sherwood Boulevard and Aztec Avenue
Star Paving Company will continue road and drainage improvements on Sherwood Boulevard between Piedra Loop and Aztec Avenue.
Sherwood will be closed to through traffic prior to the intersection of Aztec to Grand Canyon Drive. Residents on Sherwood will be required to enter and exit Sherwood from Grand Canyon This closure is necessary to facilitate installation of new storm drainpipe.
Closure of Sherwood from Grand Canyon to Aztec for this first phase of work will continue through the middle of August. An additional closure for the next phase of roadwork from Longview Drive to Aztec has begun, and the final phase from Piedra Loop to Grand Canyon is scheduled for late August 2022.
Traffic devices and detour signs are in place to help motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians navigate around the work zone.
Vehicle access is limited to those who reside in the immediate work area and mail delivery, emergency services, trash, and recycling collection. For safety of the traveling public, residents are asked not to remove or relocate traffic control devices, signs, and barricades. Area residents who may have special access needs are asked to contact the Public Works Department.
Work schedules are subject to change pending weather conditions and any material shipping delays. Work Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Cumbres del Norte Road Improvements
Star Paving crews continue removal operations of curbs and gutters, sidewalks, and drive pads throughout the project. Crews will begin cold milling asphalt for removal at the intersection of Camino Redondo and Camino Redondo (where the loop connects), and grading sub grade and base course heading north to San Ildefonso. Please use caution while traveling through the project work zone.
DP Road Utility Infrastructure Replacement and Roadway Reconstruction
A contractor working for Qualcon Builders will continue construction of the remaining sidewalk sections, replacement of broken curb and gutter, street light installation and clean up and grading along the sides of DP Road. These activities will impact DP Road from Trinity Drive to Fire Station #2, with segments of the roadway periodically restricted to one-lane traffic controlled by a flagger. One-lane traffic restrictions will occur only during hours of construction potentially 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
The work on DP Road is related to the Canyon Walk Apartments and The Bluffs senior housing (under construction). The roadway reconstruction included installation of curb and gutter, sidewalks and paving of the roadway, the bulk of which was completed fall 2021.All remaining construction activities related to the reconstruction of DP Road are expected to be completed by the end of August 2022 (weather permitting).
Traffic & Streets Projects:
The projects listed in this section are being managed by County Traffic & Streets Division staff. Please slow down and use caution within the construction work zones. Call Daniel Blea, Acting Traffic and Streets Manager for concerns, 505.663.8206.
Vegetation Control on Sidewalks and Trails Leading to Schools
Aug. 8-12 Streets crews will be doing vegetation control and spraying herbicide at Gold Street and 37th Street. Crews will have traffic control devices and warning signs in place. Please watch for crews and avoid the area where they will be spraying. Please follow all traffic control devices.
School Flasher Preventive Maintenance
Traffic electricians will continue school flasher preventive maintenance at all schools through Aug. 12. Work will begin at each site at 9 a.m. and end by 3:30 p.m. The work will be primarily done on the shoulder of the roadway. Vehicle traffic may be temporarily interrupted, pedestrian traffic will not be impacted.
School Zone Curb Painting and Crosswalk Striping Continues at Hawk Drive and Barranca Mesa
Crews continue working on painting school zone curbs and will mostly be working on the shoulder. It is not anticipated that traffic or pedestrians will be impeded. Traffic is urged to slow down in all work zones and obey all traffic devices.
Sidewalk Replacement on Rim Road and Opal Street
Crews will be replacing sidewalks and driveways the week of Aug. 8-12. Sidewalks in these locations will be closed, and traffic will be detoured, as needed. Please watch for detour signs and follow all traffic control devices.
Central Avenue at 15th Street Traffic Signal Work
Traffic electricians will be working at each corner on the shoulder at the intersection of Central Ave and 15th Street. Lanes may be temporarily shifted or closed, along with sidewalks. Please watch for any detours, sidewalk closures or lane shifts/closures. Work will begin at 8 a.m. and be completed by 4 p.m. Aug. 15.
Non-County Projects:
The following road construction updates are posted below in the interest of keeping residents informed but are being managed or conducted by others. Please obey all traffic devices and slowdown in work zones.
Electric Vehicle Charger Installation at White Rock Visitor Center Parking Lot
A portion of the White Rock Visitors Center parking lot will be closed starting Thursday to prepare the area for the installation of the County’s first Level 3 DC fast charger for electric vehicles. Preparation began in July and is expected to be completed no later than Aug. 12.
While the 65 kW charger has not yet been delivered and will be installed at a later date, a Department of Public Utilities (DPU) contractor will be trenching in the parking lot to install electrical conduits and placing a concrete pad in preparation for the charger installation.
Construction updates are posted on the County website each Friday explaining traffic control to be expected for the following week – click on the Road Construction Quick Link or subscribe to The Cone Zone Newsletter and receive automatic traffic updates via email each week – just visit the “Newsletters” link on the homepage here.
