Los Lunas Council Approves Change Order, Residents Face Road Damage Concerns

LOS LUNAS — Village leaders and project contractors addressed growing community complaints about Morris Road deterioration and highway noise during the council meeting on October 23. Moltzen Corbin representative Wyatt Kartchner and Public Works Director Michael Jaramillo reported on construction impacts from the Los Lunas Boulevard and Interstate 25 interchange project, prompting council discussion about repairs and mitigation.

Councilor Christopher Ortiz described repeated constituent concerns about heavy trucks using Morris Road. “I’ve heard complaints (about Morris Road) but these heavy trucks are demolishing that road, the asphalt and everything,” Ortiz said. “So eventually, we’re going to have to redo Morris I’m assuming.” Jaramillo concurred that the roadway condition is worsening and said the village may not be able to compel the current contractor to fully restore the road to prior condition. “I took the mayor and some others on a tour ... and I don’t see how we can hold a contractor accountable to fixing the road back,” he said. “(The contractor) is willing to maintain it right now and they’re doing those improvements, but as I told our Greg (Martin), our village administrator, we may have to look at budgeting some money to rebuild the road to some condition.”

Councilor Cruz Munoz flagged damaged manhole covers, some reported standing upright, and Jaramillo said contractors have repaired about eight covers and agreed to route large trucks away from manholes to prevent further damage.

Noise complaints center on rumble strips placed between the main lane and the breakdown lane on southbound Interstate 25. Jaramillo said crews have evaluated options to remove or pave over the strips but cautioned about cost and disruption to traffic. “We’re getting these complaints about them, and I know that I asked Wyatt to look at what that cost would be to remove them, pave over them or do something. It’s going to be pricey if we do it,” he said. “Plus, it’s also going to create delays in trying to do the work because if you’ve been through there, on that bypass, it’s quite a bit.”

The council approved the change order by a vote of 4 to 0. The vote removes planned artwork on concrete for the new roadway segment from Interstate 25 to N.M. 47, producing a reported savings of 2.8 million dollars. The change order also included a 3,000,000 dollar increase in wage rates, 450,000 dollars for additional detour paving, and 1,330,000 dollars to excavate unsuitable material along drainage features.

For residents, the outcome means short term relief in project costs but potential long term responsibility for local repairs. Village officials say they will continue to coordinate with the contractor on maintenance and assess budgeting options for rebuilding Morris Road to a stable condition.