The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is currently engaged in four roadwork projects in Southeast New Mexico.
NMDOT District 2 began a project Monday to improve nearly four-and-a-half miles of N.M. 409 (Bottomless Lakes Road) in Chaves County.
The project is expected to improve the road surface and extend the life of the roadway. It should be complete in one week, weather permitting.
Crews will be in place from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and message board and detour signs will direct motorists.
The NMDOT has already begun a pavement rehabilitation project on a section of N.M. 128 northwest of Jal, which includes approximately 13 miles of pavement rehab work from mile marker 38 to mile marker 51.
The work is expected to cost approximately $6.5 million and will be complete in December, weather permitting.
The project consists of processing, placing and compacting several inches of the old roadway, then overlaying with new asphalt. It will create a smoother road surface and extend the roadway’s lifespan.
Motorists can expect a one-lane closure and short delays from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and drivers are asked to watch for construction personnel in the area, observe temporary signage, and reduce speed to the posted limits.
The renovation of U.S. 82 between Artesia and Lovington is ongoing in its first phase just east of Artesia.
Motorists are reminded the speed limit in work zones has been reduced to 35 mph, and the maximum posted speed during construction will be 55 mph through non-work areas between mile marker 107 and mile marker 139.
Temporary signal lights are in use for one-lane closures during the project, and motorists should expect some delays.
The expected completion date for the entirety of the project, which will continue to move east as it progresses, is August 2018.
Work is also continuing on N.M. 529 from mile marker 0 to mile marker 22, and that project has an anticipated completion date of November.
