Description:

The scope of this project includes pavement rehabilitation / reconstruction of Diamond Drive from and including the San Ildefonso roundabout up to the Los Alamos Canyon Bridge. Phases 1 and 2 are complete (roundabout to south 39th Street). Some warranty work will occur in Phase 2.

Phase 3 construction (south of 39th Street to south of North Road) is complete.

Phase 4 (south of North Road to the Los Alamos Canyon Bridge) is scheduled for the 2010 and 2011 construction season. Phase 5 (utilities installation between Trinity Drive and the Los Alamos Canyon Bridge) will also occur in 2010. Information about Phase 5 is available by clicking here. 

News and Updates as of August 27, 2010:

Diamond Drive Phase 4:

Please use extreme caution when driving though the Diamond Drive work zone.

Please read the following information carefully.

Northbound Diamond traffic from the Los Alamos Canyon Bridge approaching the Trinity intersection has three options: veer right onto Trinity, continue northbound on Diamond in one lane of traffic; or, turn left onto Trinity into the Western Area.

Continuing northbound on Diamond through the Trinity intersection a left turn lane is available at the Sullivan Field driveway at Canyon; University is closed at Diamond, use Sandia to access UNM-LA by turning south on 40th Street; access the businesses west of Diamond at Metzger’s Mobile or off Sandia; expect full access at the Sandia and Orange intersection, where the work zone will end and all travel lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks north of the intersection will be open for use.

Southbound Diamond traffic south of the Sandia/Orange intersection has two southbound lanes; access businesses west of Diamond Drive off Diamond or Sandia; University will be closed at Diamond, use Sandia; access Sullivan Field at the Canyon intersection. The lanes will open at Canyon.

Exception:  Upon delivery of traffic signal components, the new traffic signals at Diamond / Sandia / Orange will be installed between the hours of 9am and 3pm. During installation, expect right lane closures at this intersection.

Pedestrians: Pedestrian access will be maintained and signed through the work zone; cross at signalized intersections or the southern pedestrian overpass. The northern pedestrian overpass remains closed. Once work is completed on the northern overpass, it will open and the southern overpass will be closed.

Bicyclists may use the pedestrian access and dismount at crossings or assertively “take a lane” through the work zone. Motorists must not attempt to pass bicyclists within a travel lane.

Expect continued variations in congestion and delay times; allow an extra 20-30 minutes travel time, especially during the evening commute.

 The County thanks the public for their continued patience throughout this difficult construction project on the County's primary arterial roadway!

Please Note:

The weekly Open Discussion Meetings are held at Metzger's Mobile Station on the corner of Sandia and Diamond. County staff is available to discuss this project each Wednesday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm - stop in if you have questions or concerns!

Your cooperation, patience, and courtesy are essential. Please use all of the queue space provided, take turns merging, don’t block intersections, and drive defensively.

Other alternatives to reduce the traffic volume on Diamond Drive include carpooling, flexing schedules, or riding Atomic City Transit (www.AtomicCityTransit.com).

Work Zone Basics:

• Disobeying a flagger or moving established traffic control devices endangers lives and is a crime punishable by a $300 fine and/or 90 days in jail. Please report suspicious activity or suspected tampering to the Police Department by calling 911 or 662-8222.
• Slow down and use caution when traveling through work zones. Use the queue space provided, take turns merging at the merge point, don’t block intersections, and drive defensively.
• Construction sites are closed to the public -- STAY OUT!
• Construction is subject to weather and mechanical delays.

Staging Area:

AS Horner has established their staging area in the Sullivan Field Parking Lot, requiring the following temporary relocations of:

• Lemon Lot - Moved to 901 Trinity
• Recycle Bins - Moved to behind 1925 Trinity Drive (the Public Works / Capital Projects & Facilities modulars - please follow the blue recycle signs).
• Post Office Mail Box - The Post Office has removed the mailbox until Sullivan Field work is completed.

How Can You Help?

Did you know that 22,800 vehicles travel Diamond at the Diamond/Trinity intersection on an average weekday? Considering that our total population is approximately 18,000 -- that's a lot of cars! Here's how you can help:

• The best way to reduce congestion is to reduce the number of vehicles on the roadway, especially during peak volumes in the morning, noon, and evening. Consider taking Atomic City Transit, carpooling, or if possible, flex your schedule.
• Use all provided queuing space
• Courteously take turns merging -- With a little cooperation, it can be as easy as walking - left, right, left, right... (HOWEVER, if a stubborn motorist is unwilling to allow a merging vehicle to enter a lane, the merging vehicle must yield right of way)
• Be polite and considerate of your fellow motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians
• Don't block intersections
• Obey flaggers
• Don't tamper with established work zones
• Watch for moving equipment
• If you are using an alternate route, please watch your speed

Work Schedule:

AS Horner's work schedule is Monday - Friday, with weekend work as necessary. Work hours may be between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.; however, night work will require a Noise Ordinance Waiver.

Background Information:

Council awarded Phase 4 construction to AS Horner on March 2. The draft motion from the Council meeting is: "Councilor Wheeler moved, seconded by Councilor Phelps, that Council award Bid No. 2010-09 to AS Horner in the Amount of $6,363,500.20 plus applicable gross receipts tax for the Construction of Diamond Drive Phase 4; and, establish a Diamond Phase 4 Construction Project Budget of $9,649,623. The motion passed 5 - 2, Councilors Gibson and Chiravalle were opposed."

The Notice of Award was issued to AS Horner on March 3. Four milestone dates have been incorporated into the Phase 4 contract.

• Milestone A is completion of all utility and roadway construction from south of North Road to south of Sandia Drive and Orange Street by August 16, 2010.
• Milestone B is completion of all utility and roadway construction from south of Sandia Drive and Orange Street to south of University Drive by September 30, 2010.
• Milestone C is the reconstruction of Sullivan Field parking lot between May 30, 2011 and August 12, 2011.
• Milestone D is that all roadwork shall be completed by September 30, 2011.

Phase 5, utility work between Trinity Drive and the bridge abutment will occur as a separate contract in 2010 between April and September 2010. This work is being done concurrently with 2010 Phase 4 to ensure that all utility work is complete by the end of the 2010 construction season to allow all roadway work completion before September 30, 2011.

A Diamond Drive Phase 4 & 5 Project Overview Public Meeting was held on Thursday, April 8, at Fuller Lodge. Thirteen members of the public, as well as County and design consultant staff were in attendance. A copy of the presentation material and a general information sheet was distributed. Click here to view the public information handout.