Commission approves emergency repairs and bridge replacement funding after extreme storms damaged Tijeras Creek restoration

The commission approved emergency funding to repair damage to the Tijeras Creek Watershed Restoration Project and to replace a pedestrian bridge that was undermined in extreme July and September storm events.

Public Works Director Brian Lopez reported the restoration project, located on a 12‑acre county parcel serving connections between Los Vecinos Community Center and nearby schools, was about 90% complete prior to two high‑intensity storms. Engineers concluded that one bridge pier was undermined and the bridge needed demolition and replacement. USGS provisional streamflow data showed very high flows that exceeded the design conditions at the construction site.

Staff requested and the commission approved the use of SGRT funding ($889,656) to support restoration repairs, an additional $90,000 toward the bridge replacement, and $1.2 million in emergency funding to construct the new pedestrian bridge and cover construction oversight. NMED had previously awarded ~$278,000 for mitigation improvements but that money cannot be used to cover storm damage repairs.

The chair emphasized the bridge’s importance to students who rely on safe walking access to before/after school programs and to Los Vecinos community center activities. Staff said construction design would be complete by Feb. 2026 and that they would seek to rebuild the crossing to be more resilient to future storms.

Commissioners voted to adopt emergency funding allocations and to suspend rules to allow expedited adoption where necessary; vote passed 4‑0.