Road work on Canyon Road. Photo by Vint Miller/LAC
COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
Road Construction Update: Week of July 18, 2022
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 http://www.losalamosnm.us. 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 Rim Trail Partial Closure due to Construction Activities
The Canyon Rim Trail and Parking lot will be closed for corrective work to the trail from July 13 through July 21. The trail closure will begin at the intersection with Entrada Dr and will extend south of NM502 (East Road) to the trail T-Intersection and parking lot area. Access to the underpass will not be permitted during this time.
The Department of Public Works thank the community in advance for their continued cooperation and patience.
Canyon Road Reconstruction
TLC Plumbing and Utility, under contract with the Los Alamos County Public Works Department and Department of Public Utilities has begun the first phase of a three-phase road and utility construction project on Central/Canyon Rd. Traffic delays are expected.
Phase 1 starts on Central/Canyon at Rose St and continues to the western driveway of the Aquatic Center. This segment of work is anticipated to be completed by September 8.
Phase 2 will begin on Central/Canyon at the Aquatic Center western driveway and continue to 39th St. This work is scheduled between September 8 and October 1.
The final phase begins October 1 and will be the section of Canyon Rd between the Aquatic and the Nature Centers (see map). Completion of all three phases of the project is scheduled at the end of November 2022.
The Aquatic Center, Canyon Village Apartments, and IHM Catholic Church may be accessed on Canyon Rd traveling east from Diamond Dr. Officials with Public Works ask motorists to please follow all detour signs.
The intersection at Central and Rose and the intersection at Central and Canyon are closed to through traffic. To access to the United Church, Nature Center and Jewish Center, motorists should use Rose and Canyon westward from 15th St.
Sidewalk closures are posted with detour signage to keep pedestrians clear of the work zone.
Traffic and Streets Division crews have adjusted the timing sequence of the traffic signals along Diamond to help with traffic flow patterns. Additionally, Atomic City Transit and Park & Ride staff have adjusted bus routes accordingly. Services such as mail delivery, trash and recycling collection, and emergency services will be maintained.
Construction hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 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 as much as possible as the main thoroughfare between neighborhoods and the downtown area.
The Tennis Courts located on Canyon Rd will be closed during the project, as it will be utilized as an equipment staging area until its completion.
Public Works officials thank the community in advance for their continued cooperation and patience.
Sherwood Blvd and Aztec Ave
Crews with Star Paving Company will continue road and drainage improvements on Sherwood Blvd. between Piedra Loop and Aztec Avenue.
Sherwood Blvd. will be closed to through traffic at the intersection of Aztec Ave. and Grand Canyon Drive. Residents on Sherwood Blvd will be required to enter and exit Sherwood Blvd either from Aztec Ave or Grand Canyon Dr depending on the daily position of the movable work zone. This closure is necessary to facilitate installation of new storm drainpipe.
Traffic devices and detour signs are in place to help motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians navigate around the work zone.
Vehicular 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 or 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.
Closure of Sherwood Blvd from Grand Canyon Drive to Aztec for this first phase of work is scheduled through the end of July, while closure for the next phase of roadwork from Longview Drive to Aztec Ave is scheduled for mid-July 2022 and the final phase will be Piedra Loop to Grand Canyon is scheduled for August 2022.
Work schedules are subject to change pending weather conditions and any material shipping delays. Work Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Cumbres del Norte Road Improvements
Star Paving crews continue removal operations of curbs and gutters, sidewalks, and drive pads from the intersection of Camino Redondo and San Ildefonso heading south for approximately 2,000 feet and entire road of Camino Medio. The Contractor will also be Cold milling asphalt for removal at the intersection of Camino Redondo and Camino Redondo heading south for approximately 2,000 feet and grading sub grade and base course. The contractor will be forming and placing sidewalk, curb & gutter, and drive pads throughout the described removal area. Expect contractor personnel and equipment within the area. Please use caution while traveling through the project work zone.
DP Rd (Work related to Canyon Walk Apts. and The Bluffs – Bethel Development)
A contractor working for Qualcon Builders will continue construction of the remaining sidewalk sections, replacement of broken curb and gutter and clean up and grading along the sides of DP Rd. These activities will impact DP Rd from Trinity Dr 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 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily.
This work on DP Rd is related to the Canyon Walk Apartments and The Bluffs senior housing (under construction). The roadway reconstruction includes installation of curb and gutter, sidewalks and paving of the roadway and the bulk of which was completed in the Fall of 2021. All remaining construction activities related to the reconstruction of DP Rd are now expected to be completed by the end of July 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.
Countywide Striping
Crews will continue striping roads in White Rock and Los Alamos. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic are urged to maintain a safe distance from the striping equipment to prevent getting their property sprayed with paint.
Asphalt and Concrete Repair Work
Traffic and Streets crews will continue working with the Gas, Water, and Sewer Division of Utilities to repair patches of asphalt and concrete disturbed while repairing utility infrastructure. They will begin in the following locations and work down the list:
- Sidewalk repairs at 2247 34th Sat.
- 2396 34th St
- 3220 Orange St
- 2200 Diamond Dr
Work will begin on North Mesa on Monday, July 11 at 8:30 a.m. and end daily by 3:30 p.m. The work will continue through July 22nd (weather permitting).
Crews will have temporary traffic control set up in these locations with flagging operations. Pedestrian and vehicle traffic are urged to slow down in the work zones and follow all traffic control devices.
Concrete Repair Work
Traffic and streets crews will be replacing sections of sidewalk, driveway aprons, and curb at the following locations:
- drive pad at 580 Navajo
- replacing sidewalks at 525 Totavi St.
- concrete work at 4800 Esperanza
- curb replacement at 4795 Quedito/Esperanza area
Sidewalks will be temporarily closed. Pedestrian traffic will be detoured. Please watch for temporary detour signs as you approach these work zones.
School Flasher Preventive Maintenance
Traffic electricians will be performing school flasher preventive maintenance at all schools beginning July 19 through August 8. Work will begin at each site at 9:00 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 Begins Monday, July 18th
Starting Monday July 18, crews will be working on painting school zone curbs. Crews will mostly be working on the shoulder and don’t anticipate impeding traffic or pedestrians. Crews will also be coming in early on Fridays to work on crosswalks county wide and will be closing lanes as needed. Traffic will need to slow down in all work zones and obey all traffic devices.
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.
Camino Encantado Sidewalk Closure
M3 Communications, LLC., will be performing a directional bore to replace a damaged cable for Comcast at 760 Camino Encantado. The work will begin July 12 and should be completed by July 18. Work will begin daily at 8:30 a.m. and end by 5:00 p.m. The sidewalk will be closed on the north side of Camino Encantado. Pedestrians will be detoured to the south side of Camino Encantado at Tecolote St and Escondido St.
For concerns or questions about this project please contact Roberto Magana at 505-977-2202
Arkansas Ave Concrete Work
TALA Excavation will be working with GM Emulsion to install a new curb cut with valley gutters and handicap ramps at 3901 Arkansas Ave.
The sidewalks along the southern side of Arkansas will be closed to pedestrian traffic. Pedestrians will cross at the designated crosswalk at Diamond Dr at Arkansas Ave and also at 41st St at Arkansas Ave.
For concerns or questions about the project, please contact Tyler Miller with TALA Excavation at 505-470-0701 millert1117@gmail.com talaexcavationnm@gmail.com
LANL: BIKINI ATOLL ROAD
Crews are working near the entrance to the Receiving and Distribution Center at TA03-0030. Expect some delays on Bikini Atoll from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through mid-August.
LANL: WEST ROAD
Posts and cables are being installed along West Rd. Traffic will be reduced to one lane during the day. Traffic signals indicating the one-lane closure will start about 500 feet northeast of Omega Rd and extend about 500 feet west of the reservoir entrance. All traffic should obey the temporary traffic signals and watch for workers. The work is expected to be completed in early July 2022.
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 click HERE: lacnm.com/roads. Or subscribe to The Cone Zone Newsletter and receive automatic traffic updates via e-mail each week – just visit the “Newsletters” link on the home page and click on “The Cone Zone” subscribe box – or click here: lacnm.com/subscribe.