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Temporary traffic signal to begin flashing at U.S. 84-285 and north Tesuque exit

Work continues on rebuild of Pojoaque Corridor

A temporary traffic signal at U.S. 84-285 and the northern entrance/exit to Tesuque is scheduled to become operational late this week or early next week as work continues on rebuilding 12 miles of the road between Santa Fe and Pojoaque.

The temporary traffic signal at this intersection is scheduled to flash yellow for vehicles on U.S. 84-285 and red on County Road 73, the road into Tesuque. The temporary traffic signal will be in use while the contractor builds a new interchange at the southern entrance/exit to Tesuque.

Meanwhile, rebuilding U.S. 84-285 in the area informally known as the Pojoaque Corridor continues to progress with work ongoing in several areas.

Mary Ann Hatchitt of Proof Positive, an Albuquerque public relations firm handling communications for the state Highway and Transportation Department, said speed limits are reduced to 45 miles per hour in the construction areas and 35 miles per hour through median detours. Double fine zones are in place along stretches of the road where work is underway.

The contractor on the project shifted both north and southbound traffic onto a temporary detour road and closed the existing two lanes in each direction between the Conoco-Chevron gas stations and the Pojoaque Open Air Market on U.S. 84-285. A detour also is in place on northbound U.S. 84-285 near Gabriel's Restaurant.

In other sections of U.S. 84-285, heavy equipment operators are excavating, staking, demolishing structures on the west side of the road, doing utilities work and grading areas for what will become a local access road near the southern entrance to Tesuque. Grading for an interchange and frontage roads in the Cuyamungue area also has begun.

Hatchitt said motorists should be alert for heavy equipment trucks periodically turning onto and off of U.S. 84-285 in the construction area.

FNF Construction Co. of Tucson, Ariz., is the general contractor for the project. Work is expected to continue through June 2004, weather permitting. Highway department officials estimate the construction cost for the project at about $46 million.

More than 2,000 Laboratory workers who live in Santa Fe County and points south use U.S. 84-285 to get to and from work.

FNF Construction is working from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on some Saturdays. During these hours, motorists should expect one-lane closures in both directions and greatly reduced speed limits. Crews should have both lanes of traffic in each direction open during peak morning and evening commutes, according to Proof Positive.

Tano Road residents can access U.S. 84-285 through the Santa Fe Relief Route, while residents on Camino Encantado, Circle Drive and Calle Largo can access U.S. 84-285 via Bishops Lodge Road north to Tesuque or by traveling south to Santa Fe, to Paseo de Peralta to North Guadalupe Street or St. Francis Drive.

About 40,000 cars a day travel U.S. 84-285, according to the highway department.

The Laboratory has flexible work hours in place for its work force. The Commuter's Corner in the Daily Newsbulletin publishes van and car pool and ride share information.

The State Highway and Transportation Department has established a project office at 810 West San Mateo, Suite 200-A in Santa Fe. Information on the project will be available at this office. A World Wide Web page also has been created and can be found at http://www.us84-285.com/index.shtml online.

For more information, call 690-8105 or write to Nmroads@aol.com by electronic mail.

-- Steve Sandoval

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