Title
Project Update and Possible Approval of a Maintenance Agreement with the New Mexico Department of Transportation for a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at the Intersection of Trinity Drive (NM 502) and 20th Street as part of the Trinity Drive Safety and ADA Improvements Project from Oppenheimer Drive to Knecht Street and Approve Related Budget Revision 2026-24 in the amount of $3,340,000
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve a Maintenance Agreement with the New Mexico Department of Transportation for a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at the Intersection of Trinity Drive (NM 502) and 20th Street; and Approve Related Budget Revision 2026-24 in the amount of $3,340,000.
Body
Following completion of a Road Safety Audit in 2016, Los Alamos County was awarded Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding through the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) for design and construction of safety and ADA accessibility improvements along Trinity Drive from Oppenheimer Drive to Knecht Street. Trinity Drive, also known as NM 502, is a state-owned highway.
Los Alamos County contracted with Wilson & Company Inc. for study and preliminary engineering services that included development of roadway alternatives for the project area based on the recommendations of the 2016 Road Safety Audit. A survey of existing conditions, traffic data collection and an engineering analysis were completed to develop design alternatives for improvements to this section of the Trinity Drive corridor.
Roadway design alternatives were presented to the Transportation Board and the public on June 6, 2024. Feedback received helped with selection of several alternatives which were later presented to County Council on August 6, 2024. At that meeting, County Council selected the Hybrid Road Diet Alternative as the preferred alternative. Subsequently, Resolution No. 24-29 supporting the Hybrid Road Diet Alternative was approved by Council on September 10, 2024 (Attachment A).
The traffic study conducted by the engineering team recommended installation of an RRFB, a type of hazard warning beacon, at the intersection of Trinity Drive and 20th Street given the connections of the Canyon Rim Trail and Urban Trail at the intersection and close vicinity of the future 20th Street development. The Federal Highway Administration defines an RRFB as a proven safety counter measure that enhances pedestrian conspicuity and increases driver awareness at uncontrolled, marked crosswalks (See Attachment B). The installation of the RRFB will utilize standard signal poles and mast-arms which can be re-purposed should a traffic signal be warranted in the future (See Attachment C). A traditional traffic signal and a HAWK signal are not warranted pursuant federal and state standards at this time. However, traffic generated from the proposed 20th Street development may result in traffic signal warrants being met in the future.
Staff is actively working to prepare for this upcoming project. A Public Information and Involvement Plan (PIIP) is being finalized with the draft plan attached (See Attachment D). The intent of this plan is to keep the public and local businesses, particularly those within the project area, informed and to provide the opportunity to maintain regular communication with the project team about construction activity and to address concerns.
Advertisement for construction bids is anticipated at the end of 2025. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2026 with an expected 12-month duration. A more detailed schedule will be obtained from the construction contractor after bid award.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) requires the County to enter into a Maintenance Agreement (Attachment E) for the installation and maintenance of the RRFB prior to construction of the project.
Alternatives
Council could choose not to approve the Maintenance Agreement with NMDOT, which would prevent installation of the RRFB on the project. A re-design of the project would be required with a potential loss of construction grant funding. A loss of construction grant funding would require the county to reimburse NMDOT for expended design costs. In addition, there could be a negative impact on future grant requests.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
Project construction, including installation of the RRFB, is funded through the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and the match is funded by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT). Funding in the amount of $840,000 was programmed for design while $3,410,000 was programmed for construction. In spring of 2025, NMDOT programmed an additional $3,340,000 for construction for a total construction funding amount of $6,750,000. See Attachment F for Funding Details and Attachment G for the Budget Revision resulting from the additional funding. Future operations and maintenance of the RRFB will be paid for through the Public Works Traffic & Streets Division budget.
Attachments
A - Resolution No. 24-29
B - FHWA RRFB Proven Safety Counter Measures
C - RRFB Details
D - DRAFT Public Information and Involvement Plan
E - NMDOT Maintenance Agreement
F - Funding Details
G - Budget Revision 2026-24
H - Grant Matrix
I - Trinity Dr. Safety and ADA Improvements Project Update