Members of the public attend the NMDOT meeting on the N.M. 502 roadway reconstruction project Wednesday in Fuller Lodge. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com 
Souder, Miller & Assoc. and Star Paving Consultant Designer for NMDOT Matthew Nighbert discusses the project. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Drivers, get ready. Orange traffic cones, construction workers in neon-colored vests and detours are going to be common features during a road project spanning Knecht Street to Tewa Loop near East Road through winter 2020.
Heavy snow canceled a public meeting the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) intended for March 13 to discuss its N.M. 502 roadway reconstruction project, ahead of the March 18 kickoff. NMDOT held the rescheduled meeting Wednesday evening at Fuller Lodge with District Five Acting District Engineer Paul Brasher along with representatives from Souder, Miller & Assoc., and Star Paving including NMDOT Consultant Designer Matthew Nighbert.
Nighbert discussed the fundamentals of the project. He explained that project planning started quite a while ago and has gone through a lengthy process.
“It was really extensive to get us to this point,” Nighbert said, adding that the project is a joint effort between Los Alamos County and NMDOT.
The project will add capacity to this stretch of N.M. 502 and improve safety, he said.
Besides a roundabout being constructed at the intersection of Central Avenue and N.M. 502, Canyon Road will be realigned and other features in the project include adding more pedestrian and bicycle access as well as a storm drainage system and extensive utility upgrades, Nighbert said. Landscaping also is included.
The total project cost is $10.8 million and expected to be completed in the winter of 2020. Construction work will take place 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., according to a recent press release.
The work begins with the utility installation. The common utility trench is expected to be completed by July or August.
Star Paving Company General Superintendent Randy Payment explained to the Los Alamos Daily Post what drivers can expect this year during the first phase of construction.
During the current phrase or phase 1A, Payment said detour paving will be installed for the detour routes. He said phase 1 will involve shifting traffic. The only significant change will be on Trinity Drive between Central Avenue and DP Road. Payment said on this section, traffic will be limited to one-way eastbound. From there, he said, traffic going eastbound will turn onto Fourth Street and then come to a one-way stop. Drivers can either make a right onto N.M. 502 or turn left onto Central Avenue.
Payment added that drivers wanting to go to DP Road will travel westbound, take a right on Central Avenue and head to Knecht Street. They will then make a left onto Trinity Drive and then a right onto DP Road. Drivers leaving DP Road can either go right, eastbound onto Trinity Drive or turn left, westbound onto Trinity Drive.
Regarding work from Knecht Street up to DP Road, Nighbert said the work will mostly be rehabilitation, which includes minor driveway and sidewalk improvements.
It was assured that since the work near DP Road will be done in halves, everybody will still have access to it.
When asked why a roundabout was needed, Brasher said, “It’s going to smooth things out.” The project, he added, will clean up complicated non-90-degree intersections and allow for a smoother, continuous movement of traffic.
During the construction period, Payment told the Daily Post he urges drivers to be patient and safe. He reminds the public that the construction zone is 25 mph and will be a double fine zone.
“I can understand people want to get to work, want to get home but if I continually see people speeding through (the construction zone) we will address the issue as it arises … my crew’s safety is my biggest concern as well as the public’s; their safety is a big concern as well,” Payment said. “It’s just like any other construction project, people just need to be patient.”
