COUNTY News:
The Public Works/Traffic Division provides the latest updates on the following projects:
Diamond Drive Paving
Star Paving is very close to completing the first milestone for milling and paving operations on Diamond Drive between the Omega Bridge and the Sandia/Orange Intersection before school starts Wednesday.
Starting Monday, milling and paving operations from the Sandia/Orange intersection northbound will return to daytime work hours. Work between Omega Bridge and Sandia/Orange includes completion of manhole adjustments as well as applying striping and markings, which will require intermittent lane closures. Striping and marking activities will take place daily as well as overnight to avoid impeding traffic as much as possible.
Work set to occur north of the Sandia/Orange intersection will require daily lane drops for milling and paving operations; motorists should expect some delays. During daytime hours 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, crews will be working to accommodate peak commuter times for travel.
Final project completion is set for Sept. 27, weather permitting.
Yucca and Arkansas: Handicap Ramp, Sidewalks Work
Public Works crews will be replacing sidewalks and handicap ramps at the intersection of Arkansas Ave and Yucca St starting on Tuesday morning. Crews will also be replacing a section of sidewalk at the entrance to the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church. Vehicles and pedestrians are advised to follow all traffic control devices and slow down in the work zone. Work should be completed by Aug. 21, weather permitting.
Trinity Drive: Handicap Ramp Installation at 2373 Trinity Dr. (near O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Store) – impacts on bus service nearby:
Work continues to install the ramp this week and continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20 daily, weather permitting. Transit customers should contact ACT (661-RIDE) for instructions on access to the bus stop that is located near the construction site.
Oppenheimer Drive: Sidewalk Removal Near Trinity Drive – impacts on bus service nearby:
Contractor continues working to remove a section of sidewalk on the west side of Oppenheimer as traffic turns off Trinity Drive. Pedestrian traffic is being diverted on the crosswalks at the intersection to the east side of Oppenheimer. Those who use Atomic City Transit at the stop near this area, including school-aged children using the bus to get to school starting Aug. 14, should be aware of this cross-over that is needed to the East side of Oppenheimer.
Sidewalk Removal: Canyon Road near N.M. 502 Roundabout Project:
Megacomm Service LLC will be removing sections of sidewalk along the western side of Canyon Rd between the intersection of NM502 and Canyon Rd, moving toward 4th Street and Canyon. Sidewalks will be closed; pedestrian traffic will divert to the East side of Canyon Rd.
School Zones: Curb & No Parking Zone striping in Los Alamos and White Rock:
Traffic and Streets Crews will be wrapping up striping work within school zones throughout Los Alamos and White Rock before the new school year begins Wednesday.
Questions on the above projects? E-mail
Other road construction projects:
N.M. 502 Roundabout and Road Reconstruction (NMDOT project):
No change from last week’s report. Work continues 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Expect delays. The speed limit is reduced to 25 mph. NM502 (Trinity Drive) east-bound traffic is being detoured to 4th Street and Central Avenue. After a full stop, motorists should turn right (east) and travel through the construction zone to continue east bound out of Los Alamos on NM502. West-bound NM502 traffic entering Los Alamos and approaching the roundabout construction zone is being detoured onto Central Avenue; continue west to Knecht Street (or alternatively, continue to the traffic light at 15th Street) then turn left to return to Trinity Drive. There is only one lane of traffic in each direction on Central Avenue.
Please slow down, use caution and expect delays in this area, especially during peak commute times.
Advance Notice: Eastbound Detour CHANGE Begins Monday, Aug. 19 for NM502 Roundabout Project:
Star Paving plans to close Trinity Drive between DP Rd and Central Ave beginning Monday, Aug. 19 for two weeks. This closure is needed to facilitate the crossing of water, sewer, gas and numerous electrical and communications conduits. Eastbound traffic will be detoured from Trinity Drive onto 15th St and then onto Central Ave.
Access to DP Road and all businesses on Trinity Drive between 15th Street and DP Road will be maintained throughout the closure. All traffic exiting DP Road will be required to turn left onto Trinity Drive and use the appropriate detour routes. Upon completion of the utility crossing, eastbound traffic will return to the current detour which is 4th Street to Central Avenue and back onto Trinity Drive.
No change to westbound traffic; westbound traffic will continue to use the current detour, which is Central Avenue to Knecht Street
Traffic advisories from NMDOT are available at www.nmroads.com and motorists are asked to check the site for updates on this project as it proceeds.
TA-21 Clean Up Project – DP Road (N3B project):
No change in truck traffic on DP Road from last week’s report. Clean-up work on the LANL TA-21 Site at the far eastern end of DP Road continues. Large trucks carrying away demolition debris containers will be exiting DP Road at an average of approximately three trucks per day. Motorists are asked to be alert for trucks exiting; use caution when entering or exiting DP Road, as this area is near the N.M. 502 Road Reconstruction project.
