COUNTY News:

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 County Projects page at https://lacnm.com/pw-projects. Please slow down and use caution within the construction work zones.

Please note the information below is based on a schedule provided by the contractors and may change due to weather or other delays.

Bathtub Row Reconstruction Project Updates

Construction crews with TLC Plumbing & Utility have resumed this project, which is a partnership between the County Public Works and the Dept. of Public Utilities, involves road and utility improvements on Bathtub Row from Central Ave. to Peach Street, Peach/Nectar Street to 15th and utility improvements along 15th Street and 19th Street. The project is divided into two phases. With Phase 1 completed last year, crews mobilized this week to begin work on Phase 2.

A full road closure on Bathtub Row from Juniper Street to Peach/ Nectar Street is in place to allow for construction activities of the new sewer line and water lines.

Hours of Construction

TLC Plumbing & Utility will work 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, with the addition of Fridays and weekends, as needed. Residents can expect large equipment and construction noise.

Traffic Impact

To minimize disruption, the contractor will notify and coordinate with affected business owners and residents for certain construction logistics, utility upgrades, and traffic changes as work progresses.  Services such as mail delivery, trash and recycling collection, school bus, transit, and emergency services will be maintained.

Traffic should follow all detour signs. The detours will ensure ingress and egress to businesses and residences. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are advised to use caution around construction activities and avoid entering the work zone.

Help us keep you informed

All questions, concerns, or special access needs should be sent to the Public Works Department at lacpw@lacnm.us or call 505.662.8150. We thank residents and business owners in advance for their cooperation and patience.

DP Road Phase II Reconstruction Project Updates

TLC Plumbing & Utility is working 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (weather permitting).

Parking:

Parking will continue at designated areas south of Ace Hardware and south of the Los Alamos Fire Training Academy (Station #2). Parking will remain open during construction unless otherwise signed.

Traffic Control:

• Flaggers will be directing traffic during the lane closure for the crew work area;
• Follow all work zone signs and exercise caution; and
• Access to businesses will be maintained.

Construction Operations:

New electrical tie-ins with periodic electric outages are anticipated. Advanced notice will be provided to those customers affected.

Trenching for installation of the new sewer force main from approximately CrossFit Gym to Ace Hardware will be underway and will require one-lane closures.

Concrete operations will continue as crews install new stormwater inlets, curb, and gutter from Ace Hardware west towards Fire Station #2. Driveway reconstruction and concrete operations in front of businesses should be anticipated. Access will be maintained, and advanced notice will be given of any temporary access impacts.

All questions and concerns should be sent to the Public Works Department at lacpw@lacnm.us or call 505.662.8150. For additional project details, visit the DP Road Reconstruction Project.

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 Traffic and Streets Manager Daniel Blea at 505.663.8112 with concerns.

Sidewalk and Landscaping Work on Central Ave.

Work along Central Avenue began Wednesday, March 12 at the parking lot at Central and 20th Street across from the U.S. Post Office, at the orange barricades. The old parking lot entrance in this location will be closed, and the County will extend the sidewalks and landscaping within the right-of-way to provide continuous pedestrian access.

Community Broadband Network (CBN) Project:  

The County Broadband Manager Jerry Smith is the project manager for the CBN project and can be reached by emailing jerry.smith@lacnm.us or visiting www.lacnm.com/broadband.

Residents may notice crews and trucks from Kelly Cable continue working in the North Community and Western Area neighborhoods as part of the initial phase of Los Alamos County’s Community Broadband Network project. These teams will assess existing county-owned conduit infrastructure for possible use with the CBN through April 2, working 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

While minimal impacts are anticipated, residents are asked to avoid parking in work zones and follow these guidelines when crews are present:

• Park in driveways whenever possible; and
• If parking on the street, use the opposite side from where crews are working.

Where and When Will Crews Be Working?

The tentative work schedule for March 26-April 2 is as follows (subject to change):

March 26-28  & March 31-April 2  

• Club Rd. from Diamond Dr. to Arizona Ave. (park on the east side)
• Woodland Rd. from Arizona Ave. to Club Rd. (park on the south side)
• Arizona Ave. from Woodland Rd. to 45 St. (park on the south side)
• Arizona Ave. from Club Rd. to Woodland Rd. (park on the north side)
• 35th St. from Arizona Ave. to Diamond Dr. (park on the west side)
• 36th St. from Arizona Ave. to Diamond Dr. (park on the west side)
• Alabama Ave. from 45th St. to Diamond Dr. (park on the south/west side)
• Diamond Dr. between Alabama Ave. and 35th St. (the southbound bicycle lane and the traffic lane adjacent to it will be closed throughout portions of the workday)
• 45th St., White St., and 47th St. between Arizona Ave. and Urban St. (park on the west side)
• 45th St. and 46th St. north and south of Urban St. (park on the West side)
• 48th St. between Yucca St. and Urban St. (park on the east side)
• Urban St. between N Rd. and 47th St. (park on the north side)
• 46th St. between 45th St./Yucca St. and White St. (park on the east side)
• Yucca St. between 46th St./Arizona Ave. and 48th St. (park on the east side)

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work toward bringing high-speed broadband to the community!

Utilities Projects:  

The 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 at 505.662.8333, CustomerCare@lacnm.us, or visit ladpu.com/Projects.

Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project begins on West Road and Camp May Road

DPU contractors will construct a new water tank on West Road and install a water pipeline next to the intersection of West Road and Camp May Road, continuing all the way up to Camp May campground.

On West Road, work will primarily take place on the shoulder.

Camp May Road will be closed Monday through Thursday for the duration of the project. Trails accessible from Camp May Road will be closed for hikers, bikers, and other recreationists. 

Camping at Camp May campground is limited to Friday and Saturday nights on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations will not be available. Campers must extinguish campfires, pack belongings, and leave the area no later than Sunday evening. The entrance/exit to Camp May campground will be closed and locked from Sunday night until Friday morning.

More information on this project can be found here.

Western Area Park Sewer Reconstruction Project

DPU’s contractor, DUB-L-EE Construction, will trench in Western Area Park beginning Wednesday, March 19, for a sewer main replacement project. Prep work has already begun. The park will remain open, with work zones and staging areas closed off.

The Western Area Sewer Reconstruction project will improve and replace sewer line infrastructure for homes located on 45th and 46th streets that back up to Western Area Park. The current sewer line runs below some houses bordering the Park and will be moved out to the street as part of the project.

During the project, a staging area will be set up and closed off at the park’s eastern end, near the entrance from the UNM-LA property. The basketball court will also be closed, as it will be used to stage heavy equipment to prevent damage to the lawn.

Work is expected to impact only the park’s edges near adjacent homes. DPU has individually notified homeowners whose properties will be affected. The portion of the project impacting the park is expected to be complete by April 1, weather permitting.

While the work is ongoing, park users may experience limited access to certain areas, noise disruptions, and detours. Park users are asked to respect safety barricades and avoid work zones.

Work will be conducted between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Los Alamos County appreciates the public’s patience and understanding during this important improvement. For more information, please contact DPU Project Manager Casey Aumack, casey.aumack@lacnm.us , 505.663.1830.

Oppenheimer Electric Primary Replacement

The primary electric service along Oppenheimer Drive will be replaced to improve electric reliability. This project is expected to last about two months. DPU’s contractor, SanbrosCorp, will begin by excavating a 24" trench in the asphalt parallel to Oppenheimer as close to the curb on the west side of the street as possible. The contractor will install conduit and caution tape, backfill, and tamped the trenched area. 

The sidewalk on the west side of Oppenheimer is closed between Long Drive and the entrance to the complex at 555 Oppenheimer. 

Starting Monday, March 24, Oppenheimer Drive will have single-lane access with flagging operations as the project crosses to the east side of the street. This segment of work is expected to last no longer than two days.

Questions or concerns may be addressed to DPU Associate Engineer Mariano Montoya, Mariano.Montoya@lacnm.us, 505.709.8690.

NM-4 Water Transmission Line Replacement/Fiber Conduit Installation

Two work zones will be set up along NM-4 for this project. Work will begin at Rover Boulevard in White Rock and move along NM-4 toward NM-502 as the project progresses. While one lane will remain open for each direction of traffic along most of the NM-4 stretch, there may be a one-lane closure with flaggers within White Rock. Drivers are asked to obey traffic controls and exercise patience while passing work zones.

For more information regarding this project, visit the project page.

Non-County Projects:  

The following construction projects 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 slowdown in work zones.

Hill Apartments and Realignment of 35th Street at Trinity (NM 502)/Pavilion Construction

Construction activities are almost completed on the south side of Trinity Drive near the new 35th St. intersection. The Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacon (RRFB) installation at the pedestrian crosswalk will be constructed later in the month.  Traffic Control devices will be set up for minor pavement corrections for limited periods to protect the workers while both eastbound and westbound lanes will remain open.

Motorists and bicyclists will be asked to share the road when asked. Both sidewalks are open.

All questions, concerns, or special access needs should be sent to Pavilion Construction at 469.907.6045.