Title
Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 25-07, A Resolution of Support Authorizing Application for Funding Assistance to the New Mexico Department of Transportation through the Federal Fiscal Year 2026+ Transportation Alternatives Program and Recreational Trails Program for the Canada Del Buey Trail Improvement Project
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 25-07, A Resolution of Support Authorizing Application for Funding Assistance to the New Mexico Department of Transportation through the Federal Fiscal Year 2026+ Transportation Alternatives Program and Recreational Trails Program for the Canada Del Buey Trail Improvement Project.
County Manager’s Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council adopt Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 25-07.
Body
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has announced a call for projects under the Federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Recreational Trails Program (RTP) for funding cycle FFY2026+ and established an application submittal deadline of March 14, 2025. The application requires a resolution of sponsorship as part of the application process. Design and construction activities, along with construction management needs, are eligible through these funding programs.
The Canada del Buey Trail is a 10ft wide trail starting at the NM4 Trail across from the White Rock Visitor Center continuing to Rover Blvd. From Rover Blvd. to Meadow Lane (approx. 1 mile), the existing trail is primarily constructed of crusher fines and varies from 8ft to 4ft in width. Along the trail’s length, connections to the adjacent neighborhoods and to the Chamisa Elementary School are established. The total length of trail and connections amount to approximately 6,300ft (1.2 miles). To the east, the trail provides access to Overlook Park and to the west, access to Downtown White Rock. The purpose of this project is to upgrade the Canada del Buey Trail from Rover Blvd. to Meadow Lane to a fully accessible trail with an 8-10ft wide paved or concrete surface. The project will include upgrading two arroyo crossings; one currently is a 4ft wide bridge and the second, a low water crossing. Completion of this project would create a continuous 3-mile-long paved trail from the intersection NM4/Monte Rey Drive on the western side of White Rock to Overlook Park. Through public comment and field reviews performed during development of the 2017 Bicycle Transportation Plan, extension and improvements of the Canada del Buey Trail were identified as a project for consideration. A map of the proposed projects has been attached for reference (Attachment A).
In January, the County submitted a Project Feasibility Form (PFF) to the Northern Pueblos Regional Transportation Planning Organization (NPRTPO) as part of the application process. In February, a project review meeting with representatives of the NMDOT and NPRTPO was held to discuss the project scope. This project was deemed eligible for TAP and RTP funding and a recommendation to apply was made.
If the application is successful, the County anticipates a project award of TAP and/or RTP funding for project design in FFY2026 and construction in FFY2028. Design is estimated to cost $400,000 and construction is estimated to cost $4,100,000 for a total cost of $4,500,000. If funding is awarded, it would be comprised of $3,844,800 (85.44%) in federal funds and would require a county match of $655,200 (14.56%).
As part of the Grant Application, the County must provide a resolution affirming its commitment to fund, build, and maintain the project. Resolution No. 25-07 has been prepared to meet these requirements. The resolution has been advertised as required. A copy of Resolution No.25-07 and the Notice of Legal Publication is attached for reference (Attachments B and C).
Alternatives
Failure to approve the resolution will result in the County being ineligible to apply for or receive TAP or RTP funds for FFY2026+.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
County match funds could potentially come from budget savings from other CIP Projects or CIP Fund Balance. Should the County receive the grant award, staff will return to Council with a Budget Revision to establish the formal project budget.
Attachments
A - Project Map
B - Resolution No. 25-07
C - Notice of Legal Publication
D - Grant Analysis and Financial Matrix Form