BY DAVID HAMPTON
Chair
Los Alamos County Transportation

At our last Transportation Board meeting, December 5, we received a presentation and took public comments on the NM-4 Crossing and Multi-Use Trail Improvement Project. While there was general agreement with the HAWK signal crossing and the multi-use trail in and around Pinon Park, T-Board and the public had mixed opinions about the proposed westbound lane reduction and portions of the multi-use trail on the Mirador side, north of NM4. More public meetings will be held in 2025 as the design progresses.

HAWK signals operate in a YELLOW–RED–FLASHING RED sequence to alert motorists that pedestrians need to cross the road. ​ Unlike traffic signals, the HAWK only operates when a pedestrian pushes the crossing button. Vehicles are free to move when no one is crossing the street. This crossing is currently proposed to be located between Sherwood/Mirador and La Vista, and will precede and complement the proposed traffic signal at the Sherwood/Mirador intersection, which NMDOT has approved but can only be installed when the Mirador Subdivision is near completion.

We also received a presentation on the Grand Canyon Drive Intersection Analysis and Implementation, which Council had already approved and sent back to T-Board for additional input. T-Board approved the plan with the addition of investigating the possibility of adding flashing lights to some of the crossings.

With the addition of Nancy Talley, the Board is now fully staffed.

Our next meeting will be Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The agenda will include the 2025 Work Plan and election of officers.