COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Construction news for the week of July 24, 2023. 

Public Works Project:

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. Please 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.

Barranca Road Mill & Overlay Construction

Public Works has contracted with Albuquerque Asphalt, Inc. to preserve pavement on San Ildefonso Road on North Mesa and San Ildefonso Road/Barranca Road on Barranca Mesa. 

Paving will begin Monday, July 24, on the North Mesa portion of San Ildefonso Road and end on North Mesa Road. Crews will include paving a 550-foot section of North Mesa Road in this phase. 

The contractor will ensure as much as possible ingress and egress to residents’ homes. In addition, services such as mail delivery, trash and recycling collection, school bus, and emergency services will always be maintained. Residents can expect large equipment and construction noise. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to use caution around construction activities and avoid entering the work zone. The road will be open to traffic with a work zone flagging operation, including the use of a pilot car. 

Albuquerque Asphalt, Inc. has a Noise Ordinance Waiver Permit for this project allowing crews to work from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The anticipated completion date for the project is Aug. 2, 2023.

Concrete Work on San Ildefonso Between the Roundabout and El Gancho  

Franco’s Builders, LLC, along with Los Alamos County Traffic and Streets, will replace the 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.

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. Vehicle and bicycle traffic are urged to slow down, obey all traffic devices, and watch for crews.

Concrete Work on Barranca Between Camino Encantado and Navajo 

EMCO of Santa Fe, LLC, along with Los Alamos County Traffic and Streets, will replace the curb and gutter along Barranca Road. The work will be performed on the south side of the roadway. Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. This project is anticipated to continue through Aug. 2, 2023. 

33rd / 34th Street Road and Utility Improvements

TLC Plumbing and Utility will continue working on the roadway portion of the project, including sidewalk and drive pad installation. The closure will start at the intersection of 34th St. and Villa and proceed to the intersection of 33rd/34th Streets and end at the intersection of 33rd/Walnut St. Construction hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

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

DP Road Construction Activity Through July 31

Contractors for Qualcon Builders (Canyon Walk Apartments) will reconstruct the eastern driveway to the Canyon Walk Apartments. Work will generally be conducted between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., but due to the hot weather conditions, concrete pours may commence earlier than 7 a.m. with the approval of a Noise Relief Permit. These concrete pours will be completed during the week of July 24, weather permitting. Additionally, contractors for Qualcon Builders 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 Canyon Walk Apartments’ eastern driveway and Knights of Columbus may be closed for short periods. During these times, the contractor will have traffic control (flaggers) on site to direct traffic safely through the work area. Additionally, the sidewalk along the northside of DP Road between the Canyon Walk Apartment driveways will be closed, and pedestrians will be directed to cross at the Canyon Rim Trail crosswalk to the sidewalk along the south side of DP Road. Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists are asked to use caution and follow the direction of the flaggers during this work.

Traffic & Street 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 Daniel Blea, Traffic and Streets Manager, for concerns 505.663.8206.

Asphalt Patching Begins in the Urban Park Area 

Crews will start asphalt patching on 40th Street west of North Rd. in the Urban Park area beginning Tuesday, July 25. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

School Zone Striping Begins in Los Alamos and White Rock

Crews will begin curb and crosswalk painting at the school zones and safe routes in Los Alamos and White Rock. Work will begin July 24 until completed. Watch for the striping machine and fresh paint. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. For information regarding this project, contact Anthony Lucero at 505.795.3671.

White Rock Visitor Center Early Morning Eradication Project July 28. 

Crews will arrive at 3 a.m., Friday July 28 to eradicate the handicap-accessible aisles at the White Rock Visitor Center in preparation to re-paint them to meet the current code. Work hours are 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. For information about this project, contact Anthony Lucero at 505.795.3671.

Canyon Road Trail Closure, across from the Aquatic Center, Begins Thursday, July 27  

Beginning Thursday, July 27, Canyon Road Trail will be closed at both ends of the bridge across from the Aquatic Center. The project includes replacing a section of concrete. Work hours are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The project is anticipated to be complete by July 28 in the afternoon. Pedestrian traffic will be prohibited on the bridge during this time. For information about this project, contact Aaron Park, 505.709.0949 or Daniel Campos, 505.500.7321.

Crack and Fog Sealing Operations Continue in White Rock  

GM Emulsion, LLC, will continue crack and fog sealing in White Rock along 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., Cañada Way, Cañada 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, please contact Daniel Campos, Streets Superintendent, at 505.500.7321.

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 July. 

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 slow down in work zones. 

Lane and Sidewalk Closure with Moving Flagging Operation on Central Ave. and 7th St.  

Son’s Communications, under contract with Comcast, will close the eastbound lane and south sidewalk on Central Ave. from 15th St. to 7th St. A moving flagging operation will be in place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Pedestrian detour signs will be posted at 15th and Central Ave. and 6th St and Central Ave. For questions regarding this project, please contact Anita Morales, Son’s Communications, LLC., at 505.410.2384. This project is anticipated to continue through August 4.

Longview Drive and Sherwood Blvd in White Rock

Kelly Cable of New Mexico, under contract with Comcast, continues to install fiber through July 31. Crews will work from the northwest corner of Longview Drive and Sherwood Blvd. and head 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, please contact Charlie Lovato with Kelly Cable of New Mexico at 505.350.9252. work through July 31.

Sidewalk and Shoulder Closure on Alamo Rd.

Cablecom LLC. with High 5 Network, under contract with Comcast, will bore along the sidewalk on the south side of Alamo Rd between San Ildefonso Rd. and Oro Ct. Crews will close the shoulder and sidewalk on the south side of Alamo Rd. This project begins July 25 and is anticipated to finish by July 28. Construction hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For questions regarding this project, please contact Adrian Rivas at 505.225.5967.

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 will be 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, please contact Tyler Miller with TALA Excavation at 505.470.0701 or via email at talaexcavationnm@gmail.com.

Improvements To NM 4/East Jemez Rd Intersection 

Allow extra time to commute for next several weeks.

NM Department of Transportation oversees and manages the construction project on NM 4/East Jemez Road.  

Expect 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 — is anticipated to continue until mid-to-late August. 

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 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.