COUNTY News:

Public Works Projects:  

Los Alamos County Public Works’ staff manages the projects listed in this section through contractors.

For more information, email lacpw@lacnm.us, call 505.662.8150 or visit the “Projects/Public Works” link.

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.

Loma Linda Road Improvements Project

Albuquerque Asphalt Inc. will not work Sept. 4 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Work will continue Sept. 5 on La Tierra Road and La Mirada Circle with work to start on Loma Linda Drive soon after.

Albuquerque Asphalt Inc. has scheduled removals of all targeted concrete driveway aprons, sidewalks, and curb and gutter. Installation of new driveway aprons, sidewalk, curb, and gutter with new drainage and ADA improvements will occur soon after demolition. 

Prior to the construction/demolition of existing concrete driveways, curbs & gutters, and/or sidewalk, the field crew will paint a pink “X” on the structures slated for removal and replacement. If you see a pink “X” painted on your driveway and/or concrete adjacent to your property, please plan to relocate your vehicle to the opposite side of the street as work will start the next day. If your property has multiple driveways only one entrance will be closed at a given time. The process of removal and replacement should take approximately 5-6 days. Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.

The Contractor will ensure ingress and egress to residents’ homes as much as possible and coordinate driveway apron reconstruction. In addition, services such as mail delivery, trash and recycling collection, school bus, and emergency services will always be maintained. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to use caution around construction activities and avoid entering the work zone. 

The project is scheduled for completion in June 2024 with a winter weather suspension period. Questions/comments call James Malcom with the Public Works Department at 662.8150 or send an email to lacpw@lacnm.us

DP Road Construction Activity

Contractors for Qualcon Builders (Canyon Walk Apartments) will be constructing a new sidewalk along the north side of DP Road in the vicinity of the Knights of Columbus. During construction activities, one lane of DP Road around the Knights of Columbus may be closed for short periods. The contractor will have traffic control (flaggers) on-site to direct traffic safely through the work area during these times.  Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists are asked to use caution and follow the directions of the flaggers during this work.

Questions/comments: call Keith Wilson with the Public Works Department at 663.1757 or send an email to keith.wilson@lacnm.us.

Traffic & Streets Projects:  

Los Alamos County Traffic & Streets Division staff manages the projects listed in this section.

Please slow down and use caution within the construction work zones. Call Daniel Blea, Traffic and Streets Manager, for concerns 505.663.8206.  

Asphalt Patching Continues on 45th and 46th Streets off Urban

Weather permitting, crews will be patching asphalt on 45th and 46th streets off Urban Street. A flagging operation will be in place. Work will continue until completed. Construction hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. 

Asphalt Patching in the Denver Steel Area/Pueblo Drive

Weather permitting, crews will be patching sections of asphalt in the Denver Steel/Pueblo Drive area beginning Sept. 5. There will be a flagging operation in place. Construction hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. For information regarding this project contact Richard Marquez at 505.695.3672.

Right of Way Mowing Continues Countywide

Crews will continue mowing roadway shoulders countywide throughout the week. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Pedestrians and vehicle traffic are urged to watch for warning signs and be aware of potential debris in the area of the mowing operations. 

Striping Work Continues on Barranca Mesa

Weather permitting, crews will continue curb painting on Barranca Mesa at the school and on Loma de Escolar. Pedestrians and vehicle traffic are asked to watch for crews, the striping machine, and fresh paint. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. For information regarding this project, contact Anthony Lucero at 505.795.3671.

Handicap Striping at the White Rock Visitor Center Wednesday

Weather permitting, crews will finish laying down handicap markings at the White Rock Visitor Center Sept. 6. Work will begin in the early morning at 5 a.m. and continue until completion. For information regarding this project contact Anthony Lucero at 505.695.3671.

Curb Striping on Diamond Drive, Entrada Drive, and Camino Entrada 

Weather permitting, crews will be striping curbs along Diamond Drive, Entrada Drive, and Camino Entrada Sept. 7. Work hours are 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. For information regarding this project, please contact Anthony Lucero at 505.695.3671.

Utilities Projects: 

Los Alamos County Dept. of Public Utilities (DPU) staff manages the projects listed in this section.

Please slow down and use caution within the construction work zones.

Contact the Customer Care Center (505).662.8333, CustomerCare@lacnm.us, or visit ladpu.com/Projects.  

Trenching for Electric Continues on Barranca Mesa

DPU is replacing primary underground electric lines and conduit at the eastern end of Barranca Mesa. The project has been extended to continue into September. 

DPU’s contractor, Paul Parker Construction Company, is excavating between 410 and 500 Navajo Road and south on Totavi Street. Excavation continues across the intersection of Totavi and Navajo and then through to the end of the Totavi cul-de-sac. Residents in the area should expect sidewalk closures and exercise caution while driving through the work zone. All trenching is on one side of the street.

Non-County Projects: 

The following construction project are not funded by Los Alamos County. Updates are included to keep residents informed of potential traffic impacts.

Questions should be directed to the parties identified within each description. Please obey all traffic devices and slow down in work zones. 

Flagging Operation on Sandia Drive, 49th St., and West Trinity Drive

Cablecom, LLC will be performing aerial/overhead overlash work along the south side of West Trinity Drive, the east side of 49th St., and the north side of Sandia Drive. There will be a moving flagging operation in place. Weather permitting, work should be completed by Sept. 8. Work hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information regarding this project, contact Adrian Rivas at 505.225.5967.

Orange Street Shoulder Work

Cablecom, LLC will continue performing aerial/overhead overlash work on the north side of Orange Street by the Family Strengths Network. The shoulder area will be closed. Weather permitting, the work should be completed by Sept. 8. Work hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information regarding this project, contact Adrian Rivas at 505.225.5967.

Utility Work on East and West Trinity Drive

Cablecom, LLC will be pulling cable overhead and underground along the north side of Trinity Drive beginning at 37th St. and continuing toward West Trinity. Weather permitting, this portion of the project will continue through September 11.

There will be a bike lane and sidewalk closure along the southwest corner of Trinity at Diamond Drive. There will also be a sidewalk closure along Diamond at the northwest corner at the intersection of West Trinity. The sidewalk along the north side of Trinity will be closed from 36th St. to the west side of Trinity Drive. Additionally, on Diamond, the northbound lanes and bike lane from the intersection of West Road to Canyon Road may be impacted. The contractor will be attempting to accommodate the bike lane and stage their equipment on private property except for the southwest intersection of West Trinity at Diamond. Field modifications to the bike lanes may be necessary, including possibly having to share the road with motorists.  

For questions regarding this project, please contact Javier Gonzales at 505.264.3965.

Manhole Clean-up on Central Ave. Continues

Kelly Cable, LLC, will continue cleaning manholes on Central Ave. through Sept. 8. Crews will be pumping water out of three manholes. Work will begin at the intersection of 15th St. and Central. There will be a lane shift on the southeast corner of the intersection. Northbound traffic will shift into the median lane. The sidewalk and street parking on the south side of Central between 15th and 20th streets will be closed. The north side of Central will remain open. Crews will also be closing the shoulder on the southwest corner of 20th at Central. For more information regarding this project contact Charlie Lovato at 505.350.9252.

NNSA – Update as of July 28, 2023: Construction Continuing on Phase 2 on Project to Make Improvements To NM 4/East Jemez Road Intersection

NM Department of Transportation oversees and manages the construction project on NM 4/East Jemez Road. 

Crews are also working in both the southeast and southwest quadrants of the intersection on grading and installation of drainage pipeline. 

Construction on Phase 2 is expected to last through about late August, followed by Phases 3 and 4. The project is expected to be completed in late 2023.

To help reduce congestion, commuters are encouraged to carpool, vanpool, or take one of the many bus options. Atomic City Transit is available for Los Alamos locals, and multiple buses and park-and-ride shuttles currently serve the Laboratory, including the new Pojoaque Express that transports workers directly to TA-35 and TA-55 from the Cities of Gold Casino parking lot. 

LANL employees can visit the Traffic News Hub for the latest information about traffic impediments on-site and en route to the Lab. Find shuttles, the LANL Taxi, vanpools, and more transit information on the LANL Transportation Hub. Community members can visit www.lacnm.com/driveless. 

During Phase 2, the following traffic impacts will be in place:

• • The southbound right lane of NM 4 is closed. Traffic is shifted to the east, with one lane of traffic open in each direction (north and south) to the intersection of NM 4 and E. Jemez Road.
  • Traffic on E. Jemez is shifted to the south, with one lane of traffic open in each direction (east and west).
  • Access to the parking area for the Bandelier National Monument Tsankawi Unit remains closed, with no alternative access provided.
  • The speed limit throughout the construction area is reduced to 35 miles per hour. PLEASE SLOW DOWN AND OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT.

• MOTORISTS SHOULD EXPECT DELAYS AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH THEIR DESTINATIONS IN THE MORNING AND EVENING.

During construction, all existing travel lanes on NM 4 and E. Jemez Road will remain open during peak travel times – 6:30-8:30 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Any lane closures will occur during non-peak hours and flaggers will direct traffic. All construction is weather permitting and is subject to change without notice.

Motorists are encouraged to slow down and give themselves additional time to reach their destination. More construction phases will follow, with the project expected to be completed in late 2023.