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Resident cites hazardous Hermanus Road; county staff say study and DOT funding request are underway
Summary
During public comment, Brandy Johnson described deep potholes and collapsing culverts on Hermanus Road/Hermanus Grade; Luna County road staff said a study is under way and the county is applying for DOT funding to widen the corridor and convert it into a truck route, with a meeting scheduled in Silver City.
Brandy Johnson told the Luna County Board of County Commissioners that sections of Hermanus Road and Hermanus Grade are becoming hazardous to travel, saying she "had to replace a tire last week because of the number of potholes and even cracks throughout the road." She described deep potholes, failing culverts and sections where two vehicles cannot safely pass at a 90-degree turn.
A commissioner asked whether she meant "Hermanas Road" or "Hermanus Grade," and Johnson clarified the south end is Hermanus Grade and explained where pavement changes to dirt and back, noting the confusion about the road naming.
The county's road maintenance superintendent responded that the road department is aware of the conditions, describing the corridor as heavily traveled by freight, ranchers, military and border patrol. "We're applying for funding to get that entire area turned into a pseudo truck route," the superintendent said, and added that a study of the area is being completed and county staff will meet with the state Department of Transportation in Silver City on Tuesday to pursue funding.
The superintendent said culverts in some spots are collapsing and can be "4 feet at times," and pledged that crews would inspect the specific locations and continue monitoring. He said the department is trying to spread limited pothole repairs across the county and would inspect the turn near Highway 9 that the commenter flagged.
No formal motion or funding award was recorded during the meeting; staff described a planning and funding-seeking stage and promised further site inspection and follow-up.
