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 at www.losalamosnm.us.
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
TLC Plumbing and Utility will continue working on the roadway portion of the project: sidewalk and drive pad installation. The traffic control plan will start at the intersection of 34th St. and Villa Street. and proceed to the intersection of 33rd St. and 34th. and end at the intersection of 33rd. and Walnut Street. (See map.) Construction hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The transit bus stop on 33rd will be temporarily closed throughout the duration of the project. Riders can use the transit stop on 35th St.
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 Traffic and Streets Manager Daniel Blea for concerns at 505.663.8206.
Road Work on Barranca Road Begins Monday, July 10.
Traffic and Streets will begin roadwork on Barranca Road between both entrances to Loma de Escolar (east and west). Westbound traffic will be detoured off Barranca Road to Loma Del Escolar on the east side. Eastbound traffic will be detoured to Loma Del Escolar on the west side. Note: Residents living on Camino Encantado will be granted access as needed.
Work will begin July 10 and is anticipated to continue through July 14, 2023. Construction hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The road may remain closed throughout the night.
For questions regarding this project, contact Traffic and Streets Manager Daniel Blea at 505.500.7460 or Streets Superintendent Daniel Campos at 505.500.7321.
Concrete Work Continues on San Ildefonso Road Between the Roundabout an El Gancho Road
Franco’s Builders, LLC, along with Los Alamos County Traffic and Streets will be removing and replacing a section of curb, gutter, and sidewalk along San Ildefonso Road from 100 ft. north of the roundabout to El Gancho Road. The work will be performed on the east side of the roadway. Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. This project is anticipated to continue through July 21, 2023.
The east shoulder area and lane will become a bicycle lane for northbound riders. Northbound vehicle traffic will be shifted into a lane created for this project. Southbound traffic will not be impacted. Vehicle and bicycle traffic are urged to slow down and obey all traffic devices and watch for crews.
For questions regarding this project, contact Streets Superintendent Daniel Campos at 505.500.7321.
Crack and Fog Sealing Operations Begin in White Rock
Beginning Tuesday, July 12, GM Emulsion, LLC, will be crack and fog sealing in White Rock, starting at the intersection of Grand Canyon Drive and Sherwood Blvd. They will then head west down Grand Canyon Drive. The roads scheduled to be sealed include Sierra Vista Drive, La Vista Drive, Yosemite Drive, Mesa Verde Street, La Paloma Drive, Valle Vista Street, Canyon Vista Street, Monte Vista Street, Barcelona Ave., Canada Way, Canada Circle, Balboa Drive, and Alhambra Drive.
Construction hours begin at 8 a.m. daily. Work is anticipated to continue through Aug. 11, 2023. A flagging operation will be in place. Please watch for traffic signs, crews, and machinery in these locations.
For questions or concerns, contact Streets Superintendent Daniel Campos at 505.500.7321.
Utilities Projects:
The projects listed in this section are being managed by Dept. of Public Utilities (DPU) staff. 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 June.
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 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.
Longview Drive and Sherwood Blvd in White Rock
Kelly Cable of New Mexico will continue work through July 31, 2023. Crews are installing fiber from the northwest corner of Longview Drive and Sherwood Blvd heading east. The sidewalk closure will remain in place south of the White Rock Branch Library just west of the Longview/ Sherwood intersection. Traffic and pedestrians are asked to watch for equipment, crews and obey all traffic devices. For questions regarding this project, contact Charlie Lovato with Kelly Cable of New Mexico at 505.350.9252.
Utility Work on East and West Trinity Drive
CableCom, LLC, in association with Sons Communications, will continue boring along the north side of Trinity Drive beginning at 37th St. and continuing toward west Trinity. There will be a lane shift into the median, westbound on Trinity. The sidewalk along the north side of Trinity will be closed from 36th St. to the west side of Trinity. Additionally, on Diamond Drive, the northbound lanes and bike lane from the intersection of West Road to Canyon Road may be impacted. The contractor will attempt to accommodate the bike lane and stage their equipment on the right side of the northbound lane. Field modifications to the bike lanes may be necessary, including a potential need for bicyclists to share the road with motorists. This project will continue through July 10, 2023. For questions regarding this project, contact Javier Gonzales at 505.264.3965.
Sidewalk Closure on Arkansas Ave from Diamond Drive to 41st St.
TALA Excavation will be installing a driveway for the new apartments on Arkansas Ave. Work began Monday, June 27 and will continue through Aug. 1, 2023. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Pedestrian traffic will be detoured at Diamond Drive to the northeast corner of the intersection. For questions regarding this project, contact Tyler Miller with TALA Excavation at 505.470.0701 or via email at talaexcavationnm@gmail.com
NNSA – Update as of July 7, 2023:
Improvements To NM 4/East Jemez Road Intersection – Construction project causes traffic delays on NM 4/East Jemez Road
Allow extra time to commute for next several weeks.
Early in the week of June 26, the NM 4/East Jemez Road construction project entered a new phase. The contractors are working to minimize traffic congestion, but as expected, associated lane closures are significantly impacting employee commutes to and from the Lab.
We are already seeing commuting delays of up to 45 minutes during peak commuting times in the morning and evening. The heaviest traffic delays will likely occur Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
This phase of the project — the second of four planned for the reconstruction effort — will last approximately eight weeks.
While traffic impacts have been anticipated for some time, we know Lab employees and community members will find the delays frustrating. Considering the disruptions, we recommend allowing extra time in the morning and evening for your commute, understanding that you may end up in slowed or stalled traffic near the Lab.
Of course, we also encourage our employees to leave their cars at home and get to work another way. 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. Community members can utilize the Atomic City Transit. Carpooling and vanpooling can also help reduce congestion.
Thank you for your help navigating this disruption. We’re all in it together. Despite the recent headaches, this road project will ultimately improve commutes for everyone.
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 or LANL’s “Life at the Lab” transportation page.
During Phase 2, the following traffic impacts will be in place:
- The southbound right lane of NM 4 will be closed, and traffic will be shifted to the east, with one lane of traffic open in each direction (north and south) to the intersection of NM 4 and East Jemez Road.
- Traffic on East Jemez Road will be 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.
- Construction on Phase 2 is expected to last about one and one-half to two months, followed by Phases 3 and 4.
During construction, all existing travel lanes on NM 4 and E. Jemez Road will remain open during peak travel times – 6:30-8:30 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Monday-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.