COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
Road Construction Update: Week of September 5, 2022
Link to online Newsletter: https://conta.cc/3CPre6F
Drive Less Los Alamos!
Whether you commute to Los Alamos from Santa Fe, Española, or live here locally, Los Alamos County asks you to change your driving habits. Why not consider walking, biking, taking the bus, or carpooling instead of driving alone? You’ll save money, reduce air pollution, and minimize traffic congestion. Added benefits include making new friends and improving your health if you’re walking or biking.
For tips and information about how you can improve your commute, visit www.lacnm.com/driveless.
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 Road Reconstruction
TLC Plumbing and Utility, under contract with the Los Alamos County Public Works Department has started Phase 2 of Canyon Rd construction, which includes the section from the Aquatic Center western driveway to 39th St. This work is scheduled through November.
TLC will not be working Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day. Crews will be working on Saturdays, September 10 and 17.
Access to the Aquatic Center and Canyon Village Apartments continues to be provided from the east via Central Ave. LAPS Staff Parking Lot and IHM Catholic Church continues to be accessible from the west via Diamond Dr and Canyon through the work zone. Sidewalk closures are posted with detour signage to keep pedestrians clear of the work zone.
Atomic City Transit and Park and Ride staff have adjusted bus routes accordingly. Services such as mail delivery, trash and recycling collection, and emergency services will be maintained.
Phase 3 begins November 1 and will complete the final pavement surface between the Aquatic Center and the Nature Center. Completion of all three phases of the project is scheduled for the end of November 2022.
Construction hours are Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To stay on-schedule and avoid weather delays, crews will have an earlier start time. 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 Dr as much as possible as the main thoroughfare between neighborhoods and the downtown area.
The Tennis Courts located on Canyon will remain closed, as the area is being utilized as an equipment staging area for the duration of the project.
Sherwood Blvd and Aztec Ave
Star Paving Company will not be working Monday, September 5th in observance of Labor Day.
Sherwood continues to be closed to through traffic from the intersection of Aztec to Grand Canyon Dr. through the end of September. Residents on Sherwood will be required to enter and exit Sherwood from Grand Canyon during this time. This closure is necessary to facilitate installation of new storm drainpipe on the north end of the project.
The westbound lane of Grand Canyon is planned to be closed from September 6-9 for relocation of a sewer service line. Detour signage will be in place during this time with traffic detoured through Barcelona Ave. Closure will occur on Tuesday morning after 9:00 a.m. to allow for school traffic.
The third phase of the project is anticipated to begin on September 8 with crews beginning milling of the roadway from Grand Canyon to Piedra Loop.
Traffic devices and detour signs are in place to help motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians navigate around the work zone.
Vehicle 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 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.
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 completed major construction items for the Cumbres del Norte Road Improvements Project. Minor activities will be performed with minimal traffic impacts on Camino Redondo, Camino Medio and Cumbres Patio.
DP Rd Utility Infrastructure Replacement and Roadway Reconstruction
Contractor will not be working Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day.
The contractor working for Qualcon Builders will continue construction of the remaining sidewalk sections, replacement of broken curb and gutter, street light installation 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 in DP Road is related to the Canyon Walk Apartments and The Bluffs senior housing (under construction). The roadway reconstruction included 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 September 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.
Asphalt and Concrete work on 34th St
Crews will be patching asphalt and repairing sidewalks at 2231 34th St beginning Tuesday, September 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily until the project is completed. A flagging operation will be in place and the sidewalk will be closed temporarily.
Asphalt Patching at Various Locations
Crews will be patching sections of asphalt at 1480 46th St and 505 Oppenheimer Dr beginning Tuesday, September 6. There will be a flagging operation will be in place.
Diamond Drive Island Tip Painting Project
Crews will continue painting island tips along Diamond Dr beginning Tuesday, September 6 at 8:00 a.m. and continuing daily until the project is completed. Crews will be utilizing a mobile traffic control operation where flagging may occur intermittently. Please watch for crews and their equipment and slowdown in the work zones.
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.
Road Closure at Elderberry Street
Elderberry Street will be closed to through traffic beginning September 6 at 8:00 a.m., while TLC Plumbing trenches into the road to replace a malfunctioning sewer line. The project should be completed by September 9 at 6:00 p.m., weather and conditions permitting.
Residents in this area will have access to their property with the assistance of the project manager on site. Please contact Ernesto Waldo at 505-366-1090 or 505-798-1103 for questions and assistance.
LANL: Portrillo Dr Milling and Paving Project
Milling and paving will take place on a 500 ft. section of Portrillo Dr from the intersection of Pajarito Rd to TA-36-1 through September 9. There will also be a 500 ft. section of work from TA-36-0001 west to the access control fence. There will be one lane closures with flagger operations during work hours.
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.