Public Works Projects: 

The projects listed in this section are being managed by County Public Works staff through contractors. For more information, please e-mail lacpw@lacnm.us, call (505)662-8150, or visit the “Projects/Public Works” link at www.losalamosnm.us. 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.



33rd / 34th St. Road and Utility Improvements

TLC Plumbing and Utility will continue working on the utility portion of the project: starting the storm drain, curb drop inlet installation, sidewalk, drive pad and curb & gutter removals. The storm drain installation may impact residents that live in the area of the intersection of 33rd and 34th streets. Construction hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

There will be two one-way detours, one on 33rd Street and one on 34th Street. Detours will be taken down in the evenings.

The transit bus stop on 33rd will be temporarily closed throughout the duration of the project. Riders can use the transit stop on 35th Street.

Fuller Lodge Canopy Replacement Project

The main entrance to Fuller Lodge Art Center will be closed intermittently due to overhead work to replace the canopy above the doors. Detour signs will be in place directing patrons to the east side entrance of the Art Center. 



Traffic & Streets Projects: 

The projects listed in this section are being managed by County Traffic & Streets Division staff. Please slow down and use caution within the construction work zones. Call Traffic and Streets Manager Daniel Blea for concerns at 505-663-8206.



Road Striping Postponed in White Rock and Los Alamos

Road and curb striping is temporarily postponed due to a lack of available materials. Once additional materials are received, work will resume.

Vehicle Detection Camera Cleaning Across the County

Traffic electricians will be cleaning the vehicle detection cameras throughout Los Alamos and in White Rock this week. There will be minimal disruption at each location. Pedestrian and vehicle traffic are asked to watch out for the electricians and avoid the areas where they are working. Electricians will assist pedestrians as needed.

Concrete Work at Paul Place in White Rock

Crews will continue to replace sections of sidewalk and a driveway aprons on Paul Place in White Rock May 1-2. Work will begin daily at 8 a.m. and end by 3:30 p.m.

A sidewalk closure will be in place and an intermittent flagging operation will be used while concrete is being delivered. 

Utilities Projects: 

The projects listed in this section are being managed by Dept. of Public Utilities (DPU) staff. 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

Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is replacing primary underground electric lines and conduit at the eastern end of Barranca Mesa. The work will reduce or eliminate the risk of electric outages where the existing infrastructure has a history of repeated failures. The project has been extended to continue through May.



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 road construction updates are posted below in the interest of keeping residents informed but are being managed or conducted by others. Please obey all traffic devices and slowdown in work zones.



NMDOT: May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

NMDOT reminds motorists to look twice for bikers

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) reminds all motorists, Motorcyclist Safety Is Everyone’s Safety. Summer will soon usher in more roadway travel. Safe motorcycle riding and driving practices from all road users will help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on New Mexico roadways.

“New Mexico is a perfect place to ride, “said Transportation Sec. Ricky Serna. “The weather is great; the scenery is beautiful, and the roadways are vast. During the past legislative session, state lawmakers officially memorialized the month of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in our state. House Memorial 45 supports the national initiative to drive home the importance of proper motorcycle training, certification, awareness, and safety measures for both bikers and drivers.”

According to the University of New Mexico crash data report, there were 54 motorcycle fatalities in New Mexico in 2022, 8 involved alcohol and 33 were not wearing helmets.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 28 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a crash and were 4 times more likely to be injured.

Motorcyclists are exposed to dangers other drivers don’t experience. Below are safety tips for both motorists and riders.

Tips for motorcyclists

• Complete rider education courses and obtain a current motorcycle license
• Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and other protective gear
• Follow the speed limit and adhere to all traffic safety signs, signals, and laws
• Signal properly to other drivers
• Never ride while impaired or distracted

Tips for motorists when sharing the road

• Observe all traffic signs, signals, laws and adhere to the posted speed limit
• Yield to motorcyclists, especially while turning at intersections
• Avoid distractions, including dangerous cellphone use behind the wheel
• Use turn signals when changing lanes or merging with traffic
• Check all mirrors and blinds spots before changing lanes
• Give more distance when driving behand a motorcyclist than other passenger vehicles

For more information on motorcycle safety, visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles.

To legally operate a motorcycle in New Mexico, a driver must have a valid license with a motorcycle endorsement. New Mexico riders must pass a 50 multiple-choice question knowledge test as part of a required Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course if you are under 18. To sign up for a course, (successful completion waives both the MVD written and skills testing), visit the website at: https://www.nm-msp.org/ or you can call 505-312-8430 or 877-667-8880.

NNSA – Update dated March 31, 2023:

Construction is Continuing on Improvements to NM 4/East Jemez Road Intersection

Crews are continuing construction on a project to improve the intersection of NM 4 and East Jemez Road.

During Phase 1-B, expected to last about two months, through late May 2023, crews are working on both sides of NM 4 as well as on the north shoulder of E. Jemez Road. The following traffic impacts are in place:

• The speed limit throughout the construction area is reduced to 35 MILES PER HOUR. PLEASE OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT.

• Access to the parking area for the Bandelier National Monument Tsankawi Unit is COMPLETELY CLOSED as of Monday, April 3, 2023. No alternate access will be provided. A new access is expected to be open in late October 2023.

• Crews will begin removing curb and gutter around the intersection the week of May 1-5 and also will work on preparing subgrade for base course for the median area. Detour paving for the area is tentatively scheduled the week of May 8-12.

• The existing traffic signals are scheduled to be replaced with temporary signals the weeks of April 24-28 and May 1-5.

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.

Subscribe to receive the Cone Zone directly in your inbox each Friday!

Check out the road conditions before you get there! www.lacnm.com/roads.

Find tips and information about how you can improve your commute

or find alternative transportation methods in and around the Los Alamos area:

Visit www.lacnm.com/driveless or LANL’s “Life at the Lab” transportation page!