COUNTY News:

Public Works Projects:

Los Alamos County Public Works’ staff manages the projects listed in this section through contractors. For more information, please email lacpw@lacnm.us, call 505.662.8150, or visit the “Projects/Public Works” link at https://lacnm.com/pw-projects 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 continue working on Loma Linda Drive near the cul-de-sac. The current work includes removal and replacement of targeted concrete driveway aprons, sidewalks and curb and gutter. Construction hours will be 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Field crews will be marking areas with spray paint prior to replacement of existing concrete driveways, curb and gutter, and sidewalks. If you see a pink “X” and date painted on your driveway apron 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 of specific concrete items will take approximately 5-6 days, weather permitting. In cases of delays due to weather, temporary access will be provided.

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 505.662.8150 or send an email to lacpw@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.  

Arrow Eradication at the Roundabout on NM502 Friday, Sept. 29

Crews will be eradicating the arrows at the roundabout on NM502 beginning 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 29 until completed. There will be a flagging operation in place as needed.

For more information regarding this project, contact Anthony Lucero at 505.695.3671.

Banner Installation Along Central Avenue.

Traffic electricians will be installing Fall banners on lamp posts along Central Ave. this week. Pedestrians will need to watch for crews, equipment, and traffic signs. No vehicle traffic impedance is expected.

Asphalt Patching Continues on 47th St.

Weather permitting, crews will be patching asphalt on 47th 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.

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 around 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.

Flagging Operation on Esperanza

Crews will be performing concrete work in Quemazon on Esperanza. A flagging operation will be in place as needed. There will be a sidewalk closure. The location is on the South Side of Esperanza, a block from the intersection of Esperanza and Quemazon Place. Crews will assist pedestrians through the area. For more information, contact Matthew Salazar, Lead Operator, 505.412.5144.

Lane and Sidewalk Closure on Trinity Drive Tuesday, Sept. 26

Southwest Fire Defense in association with Los Alamos County Parks Division will be closing the right Eastbound lane and sidewalk on Trinity Drive between 20th Street and Oppenheimer Drive next to the Ashley Pond Parking Lot. They will be trimming trees along the sidewalk.

Pedestrian Traffic will be detoured at Oppenheimer Drive and at 20th Street. This project is set to begin at 9 a.m. through noon, Sept. 26.  For more information regarding this project, contact Southwest Fire Defense at 505.508.3953 or Wendy Parker at Los Alamos County Parks Division at 505.663.1771.

Tree Trimming at Ashely Pond Park Begins Monday, Sept. 25

Southwest Fire Defense in association with Los Alamos County Parks Division will be trimming trees along the sidewalk and inside the Ashley Pond Park area. This project is set to begin Monday Sept. 25 and will continue until Sept. 29. For more information regarding this project, contact Southwest Fire Defense at 505.508.3953 or Wendy Parker at Los Alamos County Parks Division at 505.663.1771.

Taos Street Lane Closure with Flagging Operation Begins Sept. 26

TLC Plumbing will be closing a lane on East Taos Street near the intersection of Los Pueblos Street on the South side of the road. They will be repairing a sewer line. The work is anticipated to begin Tuesday, Sept. 26 and continue through Sept. 27. Crews will have a flagging operation in place. For more information regarding this project contact Elizabeth Castro at 505.798.1103.

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.

Electric Work Almost Complete on Barranca Mesa

DPU has been replacing primary underground electric lines and conduit at the eastern end of Barranca Mesa throughout the summer and the project is just about finished. The work is occurring between 410 and 500 Navajo Road and south on Totavi, across the intersection of Totavi and Navajo and then through to the end of the Totavi cul-de-sac. If all goes as scheduled, the switch over to the new electric system should occur this week, and Paul Parker Construction Company will continue laying asphalt along Totavi Street. The patience of residents in the area has been greatly appreciated throughout the duration of this project.

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 Continues on Sandia Drive, 49th St., and West Trinity Drive

Cablecom, LLC will continue 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. A moving flagging operation will be in place. Weather permitting, work should be completed by Sept. 29. 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. 29. 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 Continues

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 Sept. 29.

A bike lane and sidewalk closure will be in place along the southwest corner of Trinity at Diamond Drive, as well as 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. 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.

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

CONTACT: Duane Garcia. Construction Project Manager
505.629.7294 – Duane.Garcia@dot.nm.gov

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 into September, 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.