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Getting across Interstate 25 on the northeast side of Las Cruces is a challenging feat.
During peak traffic hours, it can take an hour to move across the highway – one of the main ways residents on the East Mesa access the rest of Las Cruces.
But the area is also a hotspot for crashes, according to New Mexico Department of Transportation data. And it’s not exactly easy to access the shops and storefronts that dot the roadside. Those are some of the issues that nine months of construction – and closures – hope to address.
The US 70 project has three goals:
The latter two goals will be accomplished by adding lanes in either direction, adding a new traffic signal at the Main Street and Elks Drive/Triviz Drive intersection, adding culverts to the area, and adding new sidewalks, curbs and gutters, according to NMDOT. A short bike lane will also be installed.
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NMDOT estimates the cost of the project to be about $20.8 million.
That’s not coming out of Las Cruces’ coffers, however. Instead, because US 70 is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System, the construction is being paid for with state and federal dollars.
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The project is broken down into five phases – each with varying impacts on traffic.
But, throughout most of the project, the Alameda Arroyo trial will be closed because the area’s bridge is being demolished and replaced.
Otherwise, the project is currently in phase one. The most significant change in this phase is that the westbound traffic has been reduced to one lane while eastbound traffic has been moved over to the westbound side of the road.
Other impacts will occur as construction continues.
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NMDOT expects construction to be completed in October 2024.
“Regular work hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, although El Terrero Construction, the contractor for the project, may work longer hours or on weekends if needed,” NMDOT said in a news release.
Weather events like wind, rain, and heat may affect the completion time.
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The simplest way to stay current on the US 70 construction is to check the website NMDOT set up. The website address is us70MainStreet.com.
The website provides weekly updates, contains the construction plans and studies conducted in the area and answers to frequently asked questions.
For more direct information, NMDOT has set up a contact person in Patti Watson. Watson can be contacted at 505-245-3134 (direct office), 505-269-9691 (cell), 1-800-687-3417 or via email at pattiw@cwastrategic.com.
