[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6550019,"mediaKeyId","5418582-1cedebd1c21c770a58710ade41796fc8","parentId",5418582,"title","Draft pedestrian master plan targets 34 site-specific improvements, urges short-term safety fixes","audioSeconds",2541,"startMs",7132000,"endMs",9673000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418582-1cedebd1c21c770a58710ade41796fc8&start=7132&end=9673","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418582-1cedebd1c21c770a58710ade41796fc8/thumbnail_7132000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550019/New-Mexico/Draft-pedestrian-master-plan-targets-34-site-specific-improvements-urges-short-term-safety-fixes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550019-75dc301c76e2484ca33ceba010f9b4fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974709&Signature=fAl49hBqiqfBkzvbg5BQnDRMk8hC55wQwoC39EdPNwo3iLzaFO3HaSFwb56n3UQgTbBh8C2wDs~O8ip3-ROkFAvevI3Qj~tuidNtLHRzrQckSvPfgxdx6KdCuZ0feOsIDedJAU3XluxezFAdC4s8TdHnsmDO8O2owpR~ol3QCTSbMeqwEwBbVsd8R0rYtN~cJcRLwwFMAn21uBPNOSn~803x-qkzaNyqPKdkx-9z8rSIalxSWNY1vl85RJV3EyLdzlwuiPC6a-Y8WL1NVyX32s2hPZi1SJw6iEtNshNNKiLVy0KYpCDX9LDk6v63wDC89wHV7zJncv~F3kZEpofzSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Los Alamos County","date","2025-07-16T00:00:00Z","article","Wilson & Company project manager Noah Burke presented the county's draft pedestrian master plan, which sets a vision of \"a walkable community where residents and visitors can walk with confidence, safety and accessibility,\" and recommends location-specific countermeasures, funding approaches and an implementation framework.

The draft identifies three priority geographies — downtown Los Alamos (including Diamond Drive), the Trinity/Trinity Drive corridor, and the White Rock town center — and proposes 34 site-specific recommendations. Short-term actions include repainted crosswalks, updated signage, speed‑feedback signs and priority curb‑ramp upgrades. Longer-range projects include curb, gutter and sidewalk reconstructions and corridor-level complete‑streets redesigns.

Why it matters: The plan is intended to focus limited funds on high-safety value, low-cost measures first, then phase in larger capital work. The draft also recommends using county funds to bundle projects locally and to pursue federal and state grants for larger projects.

Highlights

- Inventory and data: The team reported more than 102 miles of sidewalks and 152 miles of trails in the county, with 11 signalized intersections and 164 marked crosswalks. About 85% of sidewalks are under 5 feet wide, creating accessibility concerns.

- Crash data and priorities: From 2018 through February 2022 the county recorded 770 crashes (about 154 per year) and eight pedestrian-involved crashes in that period; the plan identifies locations with concentrated pedestrian activity and higher risk.

- Prioritization and scoring: The plan uses a 100-point scoring rubric for site prioritization (safety, connectivity, equity, accessibility and visibility) and maps projects into short (0–2 years), mid and long-term (5+ years) implementation plans. The draft also includes a proposed public feedback form and a process for regular updates so the plan can be a living document.

Council feedback

Council members asked about grade and ADA constraints for pedestrian overpasses and underpasses (for example, in White Rock), the timing and budget for short-term safety projects, and how staff will incorporate Transportation Board input before final council review. Staff said they expect the Transportation Board to review the draft on August 7 and to return a final plan to council for consideration later in the month; staff asked for council feedback on a short timespan so the plan can be sent to the board with any final changes.

Ending

Staff and consultants requested written council feedback on a short schedule to allow the Transportation Board to consider final edits; the presentation places near-term emphasis on cost-effective safety improvements while establishing priorities for larger, CIP-level projects.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Los Alamos County - County Council - Work Session on 2025-07-15 6:00 PM - Jul 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Wilson & Company project manager Noah Burke presented the county's draft pedestrian master plan, which sets a vision of \"a walkable community where residents and visitors can walk with confidence, safety and accessibility,\" and recommends location-specific countermeasures, funding approaches and an implementation framework.","taxTitle","Los Alamos, New Mexico","taxId",51137,"location","New Mexico","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6550023,"County begins Elkridge gas-line work; Jemez Mountain fire-protection phases proceed while FEMA decision is pending",1326,5798000,7124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418582-1cedebd1c21c770a58710ade41796fc8&start=5798&end=7124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418582-1cedebd1c21c770a58710ade41796fc8/thumbnail_5798000.jpg","/articles/6550023/New-Mexico/County-begins-Elkridge-gas-line-work-Jemez-Mountain-fire-protection-phases-proceed-while-FEMA-decision-is-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550023-415d5cf3a0bd1925615b10b03ad80871/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974709&Signature=nO2YtwYQxOZKPMIqYrLFEulAsdRokktUPCgnjomvG~kfGYTfSQEWz6o7sBtqRuDu8M0Ihsg8HD5kbDsx2gevKV~rhXKY0AEhyRydJ0SA02sL6a8IV5wvOdCP6zo3G8EbQadzmZZd3fWXbOJyFBqNfp03P0Q7eVhE3Ezi6i35NXXQRaTkpW9mhMvL8SrBal-1v51iTajhl8tqLCBszMvP4FoLoD-C2zlY7ouedWzNMLrROvdEOXXmCm2BNnCFBBx04Zc9Sqc7wOGH1o2~hBCTJhiKINXvbkVAC5ND4YtHx17QMAyk-VcaQuOYjhrkaFd4m037tno1TJViw1LiJ188fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Public Utilities staff reported that construction has begun to install a new public gas distribution system through the Elkridge mobile home park and provided an update on the Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project.

DPU staff said the Elkridge project started this week, with saw-cutting and trenching already under way. The DPU presentation described a plan to install a continuous 2-inch gas main around and through the park, with meter sets sized to serve paired homes and new automatic meter infrastructure. \"Because it's all new pipeline, we want to have the latest metering technology there in place,\" the DPU representative said.

Key Elkridge details

- Construction timeline and contractors: Staff said the contractor began work the week of the meeting and described a roughly 90-day timeline for primary construction. The contractor performing the gas-line installation is under contract (reported as Double E), with a local plumbing firm (Cartwright Plumbing) performing interior plumbing tie-ins.

- Costs and funding: DPU staff reported the construction contract bid was approximately $1,100,000 and that the county has budgeted about $400,000 in CIP funds for meter sets and related equipment.

Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project update

DPU staff described multi-phase work that includes replacing waterlines, constructing a half‑million‑gallon storage tank, installing pump stations and relocating overhead power lines. The county has awarded phases 1 and 4 and has used rock-trenching and HDPE fusion-welded pipe for the waterline installation. Staff said the tank foundation is being prepared and the steel tank erection is expected at month end.

- Grants and funding status: Staff said the state awarded grant funding for a portion of the project (presentations referenced a state grant figure described as $7,900,000 in one slide and $7,000,000 elsewhere in the meeting). The county and Pajarito Mountain Recreation committed to cost-share provisions and the total project budget cited in the presentation was about $18,000,000. Staff said they have expended roughly $7.5 million to date on awarded work.

- FEMA grant pending: Staff said a FEMA grant application for additional project funding has cleared technical review and is pending final approval; the award requires signoff at the federal level and staff said that approval has been delayed. \"We're waiting notification,\" the presenter said of the FEMA decision, and added that if FEMA funding is not awarded the county and partners face a larger cost share.

Work methods and operations

Staff described using a rock trencher to cut through hard basalt and installing HDPE pipe via fusion welding; conduit for electric and fiber is being placed in the same trenches. For the tank site, crews are modifying power-line locations to create adequate construction clearance.

Ending

Staff said the Elkridge gas work should move quickly in parallel segments and that the Jemez project will continue in phases while the county awaits FEMA action; councilors asked for continued updates on schedule and grant decisions.

","Department of Public Utilities staff reported that construction has begun to install a new public gas distribution system through the Elkridge mobile home park and provided an update on the Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6550028,"Board of Public Utilities lays out electrification study, ECA renewal and solar-storage timeline",1256,3360000,4616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418582-1cedebd1c21c770a58710ade41796fc8&start=3360&end=4616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418582-1cedebd1c21c770a58710ade41796fc8/thumbnail_3360000.jpg","/articles/6550028/New-Mexico/Board-of-Public-Utilities-lays-out-electrification-study-ECA-renewal-and-solar-storage-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550028-2124e7ce1cff0915eabec20020199656/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974709&Signature=SeWsZ8KWwdvcVWThGwxLNW8iiIkrmwxMaAfV5-ch3xxymyiqn7~9H4yjQOikduhBiSqZZ2WAhMl3JBDulC1ToAZEKIomuz55baOBso0L-MEf9-Mzs2-fARIppOcl-ZCIOMQLusxZMfqy2MkFgRXjAuaXTxW0BlrtYxLoZ1FPUKC6FrS-gRUrF4qEkdI9mxpE4gTLn3xFzAz4uKRTgJi~JpBWSIfcG8v1I70ze3LcjRtdDIaD5wA54DPIWyqve5tQIitlEoi2TFpgyHk0Hi1gPaWxFmBiubI6aeGp34LiRtuFaISYTdnP2yb8YJ2dcIIAJlfK5CpcWpcMsuCIdQ600w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Robert Gibson, chair of the county Board of Public Utilities, told the council the board is focused on maintaining reliable service while preparing the electric system for wider electrification and carbon-free resources.

\"First and foremost, we want to maintain a high level of service at reasonable cost today and tomorrow,\" Gibson said, outlining the board's twin goals: a transition to carbon-free electric supply and a plan to phase out natural gas where feasible.

Gibson summarized a set of near- and mid-term activities: an electrification study that will inform distribution upgrades, an EV-infrastructure study led by the county sustainability coordinator, and a customer gas‑use study due next summer. He warned that some key external processes were delayed: the Energy Coordination Agreement (ECA) with Los Alamos National Laboratory and DOE is still awaiting review in DOE, and a major solar-plus-storage project known as Foxtail Flats is delayed pending a NEPA finding of no significant impact (FONSI).

Why it matters: The county's electric system faces higher projected peak loads if buildings and vehicle fleets shift from gas to electric power. Gibson said the present peak capacity is about 20 megawatts and that electrification scenarios could roughly double or triple peak demand, requiring new substations, feeder upgrades and other distribution investments.

Notable items Gibson described

- Electrification and distribution study: Staff will present a draft of an electrification study to the board; Gibson said the report clarifies that much of the next 30-year cost is renewing existing distribution capacity, not only adding new capacity to meet electrification demand. The report estimates the system must be able to meet much earlier morning peaks as heating electrifies.

- Energy Coordination Agreement (ECA) with LANL: Gibson said the ECA renewal, an agreement that coordinates pooled electric resources with the laboratory, has been in DOE review for over a year. \"The current extension goes to December and already we're starting to be concerned about the about time running short,\" Gibson said.

- Foxtail Flats solar + storage: The county is a participant in Foxtail Flats, a large solar and storage project. Gibson said the developer is awaiting NEPA approval and a FONSI; without that decision, other planning and final business arrangements are paused.

- Other resources and studies: The board is tracking Cove Fort, an advanced geothermal project through UAMPS in central Utah, which would provide a small baseload share to the county if transmission can be secured. Gibson also noted the county will look at options including market purchases, hydroelectric contracts and storage technologies.

Councilor queries addressed funding, grid balancing and near-term timelines. Gibson said the county's utility budget is \"a little over a $100,000,000 a year\" and that staff headcount is roughly 100. He said distribution upgrades will likely require one or more new substations (including an east-end substation) and significant investments to handle higher peak loads.

Ending

Gibson said the utility is operating safely and that several studies will inform council decisions later this year and next on how to fund and phase distribution upgrades and procure new carbon-free resources.

","Robert Gibson, chair of the Board of Public Utilities, briefed council on long-range electricity planning: an electrification study due soon, a delayed Energy Coordination Agreement with LANL sitting in DOE review, the Foxtail Flats solar+storage project awaiting NEPA/FONSI, and other resource options including geothermal and hydro.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6550032,"Los Alamos airport manager outlines plan to rebuild activity; tee-hangar construction, rental-car concession pitched",2979,370000,3349000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418582-1cedebd1c21c770a58710ade41796fc8&start=370&end=3349","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418582-1cedebd1c21c770a58710ade41796fc8/thumbnail_370000.jpg","/articles/6550032/New-Mexico/Los-Alamos-airport-manager-outlines-plan-to-rebuild-activity-tee-hangar-construction-rental-car-concession-pitched","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550032-83ec617f7625481eebf760e0a7ab051f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974709&Signature=HdT12hMvngtcWcUz1uQbu2zyg6CdTHsEc-EELeXDgnGHSK7ie57COGjA8NJJUYaCnaMp5DCSEoYsZV9~OZgyRktpbTXiXRVnp41zQlHjzR5tlAYir3NcIHLqwg~RlHMzVtQhsDrvP-9g2Hzr4VcZ2s4GzPOwlvNdEJq6IiE-2OoTS6kujMpnS-Krqi9Jmhr3zY-sf-M1lPC19HOyIkW7emuRXuUUeCAWRXZvOvf6dqwK0K8iTq-mbFr9-aGru9h~nzdqv4jUebPpjxXraoJKBeZR~Gk73CwOaKK447ohmZzK~Ggd0uZZbLK5sfuc5yJqSyXUtwLAsxUzSBIie~20pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Airport Manager Gary Goddard told the Los Alamos County Council the airport needs new hangars, a rental-car concession and programs to reconnect the facility with the community and visiting pilots.

Goddard said the county can pursue FAA and New Mexico Department of Transportation grants, encourage public–private partnerships and make targeted terminal improvements to attract visitors and aviation services. \"It's high altitude, thinner air. There's turbulent crosswinds that are usually blowing from the south and create turbulence over the runway,\" Goddard said, describing operational constraints at the field.

Goddard framed the airport as essential infrastructure for firefighting, medical flights and tourism, and reported several ongoing initiatives. He said the county is finalizing a contract to build tee hangars and expected NMDOT funding to cover construction of the first set of hangars. He also outlined a white paper and outreach the county has prepared to recruit a rental-car concession and other service providers.

Why it matters: County managers and airport staff said limited on-site services and the loss of rental planes and a flying club over recent years have reduced activity, producing fewer tie-down aircraft and intermittent commercial service since 2016. Restoring hangar capacity and convenient visitor services is presented as a way to support emergency operations (for example, aerial fire support), medical flights and local tourism.

Key facts and proposals

- Hangars and site work: Goddard said the county is finalizing a contractor to build the first phase of tee hangars; the tee-hangar construction is largely covered by an NMDOT aviation grant, while demolition and larger site work related to relocating older hangars is tied to FAA funding and airport master-plan work. Goddard said the FAA-funded work aims to remove West End hangars that are too close to the runway and create room for modern T and box hangars.

- Demand and operations: Goddard told council there are about 50 based aircraft and he estimated roughly \"3,500 to 4,000 operations per year,\" and said roughly 20 aircraft owners were on the waiting list for hangar space.

- Fuel and revenue: Goddard said a recently completed fuel farm is now a revenue source, projecting \"about a $100,000 this year in profit\" while keeping prices at or below market.

- Visitor services and rentals: The county has explored a rental-car concession, and Goddard said he and others have compiled travel-office data from LANL and a white paper to market a concession to vendors. He said Classic Air (now part of Intermountain Health) and other commercial operators are discussing shorter-term steps — for example, new nearby housing for crews — that could reduce helicopter flights over neighborhoods.

Council questions focused on financing, timing and operational details. Councilor questions sought clarification about which phases are funded by NMDOT versus FAA; Goddard and county staff said the tee-hangar construction is funded mainly by NMDOT, while FAA funding covers the design and demolition work required to meet runway-safety-area standards. Council members asked about timelines and the potential for interim accommodations for pilots and for emergency-use housing.

Community outreach and next steps

Goddard described recent public events — including an open house and a small fly-in — as successful steps to reconnect the airport to the community. He said the county will continue to pursue FAA and NMDOT grants, recruit rental-car providers and explore site improvements such as a touchscreen kiosk, terminal upgrades and potentially solar panels on the terminal roof.

Goddard said the county will bring a contract for the tee-hangar construction to council in the coming weeks and continue to coordinate with LANL, the New Mexico Pilots Association and other partners.

Ending

Councillors and staff signaled support for continuing the master-plan work and pursuing the first phase of hangar construction; no final vote on the hangar contract occurred during the meeting.

","Airport Manager Gary Goddard told the county council the Los Alamos airport has core infrastructure needs — new hangars, a rental-car concession and renewed outreach — and described near-term projects and longer-range constraints, including FAA and NMDOT funding and geographic limits to expansion.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6550014,"Council approves meeting agenda unanimously",22,354000,376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5418582-1cedebd1c21c770a58710ade41796fc8&start=354&end=376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5418582-1cedebd1c21c770a58710ade41796fc8/thumbnail_354000.jpg","/articles/6550014/New-Mexico/Council-approves-meeting-agenda-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550014-b95819250b471e90e0f447aae550aa6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974709&Signature=hHW5cdwGhdwLkCkSP~6ykfeTVO74P5HY7S0ROtSnYS4K~CNS2xv9zGQfs3Y0DQBF~3LkDugAbNQxuZNAk0l3aupiVhu4fkCbaHKY1iaiLAo1vCDAg-E~ryVCWja3fpgtPhsi8WwraDNjsQmfT7ELI7EKJ7s9aoRhrJxjKh967JoBUFii4itpl5652IkIUTo6n8dq3~xhtPvRR2kc-~wjVKlEyeNRmthEXz1LKQn8ikW8sSHZENT8BWJox4hioN~p57ZC58PKQYOfXqDz~-gAl4AyAkk99hx5xcW1mwL-vyeK0GpanTtYA1nD6gUsB7E~bYcrgrAEhbXTjQB1YqS0Fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Los Alamos County Council voted unanimously to approve the meeting agenda as presented.

Councilor Reedy made the motion \"I move that we approve the agenda as presented.\" Councilor Hamman seconded the motion; the chair called for the vote and the council approved the agenda by a unanimous voice/hand vote. The minutes recorded five councilors present and two absent at roll call.

No other agenda modifications were offered or voted during the approval.

","The Los Alamos County Council approved the evening's agenda without changes by unanimous vote after a motion by Councilor Reedy and a second from Councilor Hamman.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Draft pedestrian master plan targets 34 site-specific improvements, urges short-term safety fixes

County begins Elkridge gas-line work; Jemez Mountain fire-protection phases proceed while FEMA decision is pending

Board of Public Utilities lays out electrification study, ECA renewal and solar-storage timeline

Los Alamos airport manager outlines plan to rebuild activity; tee-hangar construction, rental-car concession pitched

Council approves meeting agenda unanimously