The Incorporated County of Los Alamos County Council on July 8 approved award of bid IFB25‑45 to Double E LLC to replace the primary electric feeder along Trinity Drive, a section staff described as the main feeder for the western area of town.

Public works staff explained the project replaces a direct‑buried conductor line that failed in June 2023 west of Oppenheimer Street. The work will install new switches and new conductors and place the line under the sidewalk on both sides of Trinity Drive. The county estimated the award amount at $988,917.01 with a 20% contingency of $197,783.40; the motion passed with six affirmative votes and one absence.

Keith Wilson, deputy public works director, and other staff described traffic and construction impacts. The project will require lane closures, a buffer zone and NMDOT permitting. Staff said flaggers will manage traffic and contractors will be required to secure permits. “The contractor is responsible for getting the NMDOT traffic permit, and DOT is very strict on flagging operations,” a staff presenter said.

Staff also addressed critical‑service continuity. The Trinity circuit is a primary feeder for the western area and a feed to the Los Alamos Medical Center; staff said the hospital will be placed on a redundant feed during construction so operations are not jeopardized.

Councilors discussed potential traffic backups and impacts to bicyclists as drivers use the turn lane to merge. Staff said they expect the contractor to work rapidly — the contract allowed roughly four months, but staff said they “do not see them taking more than 6 to 8 weeks at the longest” for on‑site work, and that sidewalk removal and trenching methods will be used to expedite the schedule.

The motion to award IFB25‑45 to Double E LLC for $988,917.01 plus a 20% contingency and applicable gross receipts tax was moved by Councilor Hammond and seconded by Councilor Regor. The roll call recorded six yes votes, one absent; the motion passed.

Staff noted there may be some timing overlap with a separate public‑works roadway project on Trinity Drive farther east, and that county staff will coordinate scheduling, permits and bicyclist/pedestrian access plans with the contractor.