Diamond Drive pavement night work suspended immediately

Night work on the Diamond Drive Pavement Preservation project, which began Monday, has been suspended, effective immediately, according to the Los Alamos County Public Works Department. Weather permitting, work will resume Monday morning, Sept. 16, and continue throughout the week until completed. The majority of work will be planned during the day. Motorists should expect delays on Diamond Drive.

Public Works Director Juan Rael explained that the project was initially scheduled for nighttime hours to protect crews and reduce daytime traffic disruptions for motorists, school buses, bicyclists, and pedestrians. However, the crack sealing process proved very disruptive due to the noise and dust it generated, causing significant inconvenience to nearby residents. As a result, Rael suspended the night work.

 

"We deeply regret the trouble this night work caused," Rael said. "My team has since met with the contractor and we developed a new schedule but acknowledge that there will be congestion during the daytime operation."

 

Crews will resume work on Monday, Sept. 16, weather permitting, during the day and will seal cracks along Diamond Drive in a mobile work zone approximately 100 feet in length between Trinity Drive and the roundabout at North Mesa, alternating on both sides of the road. Lane reductions with traffic control devices will be in place at the work zone, but two-way traffic along Diamond will be maintained at all times. Bicyclists may need to share lanes with vehicles in the work zone.

 

In an attempt to minimize congestion and promote worker safety, crews will work in the intersections between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

 

Motorists are encouraged to reduce speed in the work zone for the safety of the workers. For more information, contact Los Alamos County Streets Superintendent Daniel Campos at 505-500-7321.