NMDOT News:

Santa Fe – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) will move forward with plans to develop a roundabout at the N.M. 502-Trinity Drive/Central Avenue intersection in Los Alamos.

Construction will begin in the summer of 2014, and according to NMDOT, the roundabout will improve traffic flow and safety at this intersection.

Based on recent comments received from the public, the majority of commenters supported the roundabout, NMDOT said.

During the past decade, NMDOT and Los Alamos County developed and evaluated several alternatives to reconstruct N.M. 502-Trinity Drive from Knecht Street to Tewa Loop.

Based on comments from the Los Alamos community and additional review of traffic conditions, NMDOT developed a revised proposed alternative that included a roundabout at the Central Avenue intersection.

NMDOT has decided to adopt this alternative.

Under the revised proposed alternative, N.M. 502-Trinity Drive will be converted to two eastbound lanes along the entire corridor with currently planned construction of these two lanes ending just east of Arroyo Lane.

Two westbound lanes will be constructed from Tewa Loop to Central Avenue and D.P. Road to Knecht Street.

Two pedestrian crossings with HAWK pedestrian beacons will be installed along N.M. 502 between Canyon Road and Tewa Loop.

The HAWK signal, also known as High Intensity Activated Crosswalk, includes red and yellow lights for drivers, has countdown signals for pedestrians, and offers an opportunity to improve pedestrian safety.

Sidewalks will be constructed in areas lacking sidewalks and areas where existing sidewalks do not meet current standards.