LOS LUNAS — The construction on N.M. 314 at Courthouse Road is nearing completion, according to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, however supply-chain issues could delay the process.

Makayla Grijalva | News-Bulletin photos
The intersection at Courthouse and N.M. 314 is expected to be closed by Dec. 2, and the new crossing, just north of the current intersection, will open if the project does not run into more issues with delivery of materials.

The project moves the intersection at Courthouse Road north by about 400 feet so it aligns with the intersection of N.M. 314 and Colonial Avenue. A new railroad crossing will also be added at the new intersection, with plans to demolish the unneeded crossing at Courthouse Road.

“A lot of what’s happened over there is COVID-related, in that it might not be affecting us with employees here,” said Harold Fernandez, the NMDOT project manager. “But, supply and demand in other parts of the United States, it still affects us with shipping.”

The new intersection is expected to open by Dec. 2; however, the timing of when supplies are received could push the date back again. According to Fernandez, the project completion date has already been pushed back twice from November to early December.

“It’s all because of issues with delivery and supplies,” Fernandez said. “They can’t deliver sometimes from Colorado to here because it’s a small load and the truckers would rather take a full load and make more money than take the smaller load. So, it gets held up.”

The new intersection at Courthouse Road and N.M. 314 will be north of the existing crossing by about 400 feet so it aligns with the intersection of N.M. 314 and Colonial Avenue. A new railroad crossing will also be added.

Plans to redo the intersection began in 2018 after several safety issues were identified at the skewed intersection, such as its proximity to the railroad crossing and lack of dedicated turning lanes onto N.M. 314.

By moving the intersection north, Courthouse Road will be straightened, eliminating the awkward intersection.

“We’re hoping everything goes well, and the weather holds up,” Fernandez said.

What’s your Reaction?
+1
7
+1
6
+1
2
+1
0
+1
2
+1
1
Makayla Grijalva

Makayla Grijalva was born and raised in Las Cruces. She is a 2020 graduate of The University of New Mexico, where she studied multimedia journalism, political science and history.