Work underway Wednesday morning along N.M. 4. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Map of construction of a new water transmission line underway along N.M. 4. Courtesy/LAC

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

A planned reconstruction of N.M. 4 between N.M. 502 and Rover Boulevard in White Rock by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has prompted the need for a new 16” water transmission line. It will be constructed and placed outside of the planned expanded roadway. The existing transmission line has experienced multiple breaks and would be below the planned paving. The road reconstruction is scheduled for 2027.

Construction of the new water transmission line is underway by contractor Wagner Construction, Inc. Approximately 3.5 miles of ductile iron water transmission pipeline, wrapped in polyethylene, is being installed. The pipe diameter is primarily 16″, reducing to 12” as necessary. This pipeline replaces a deteriorating concrete cylinder water transmission pipeline.

Additionally, the Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is partnering with San Ildefonso Pueblo to install their fiber optic conduit within the same trench in anticipation of their future plans to install fiber to the Pueblo. Two 1.25” High-density polyethylene (HDPE) conduits will be incorporated within the waterline trench.

Two work zones are set up. Work began at Rover Boulevard and is moving along N.M. 4 toward N.M. 502 as the project progresses. While the lanes will remain open for each direction of traffic along most of the N.M. 4 stretch, there may be a one-lane closure with flaggers within White Rock.

Summary:

• • • • • • Project value $6,000,000 (New Mexico special appropriations $400,000 and Water Trust Board $5,000,000)
          • Project schedule Feb. 12 through January 2026
          • Contractor Wagner Construction, Inc.