Eddy County continues to mull options for road linking major highways around Carlsbad
Eddy County continued to evaluate a potential $30 million road project which would create a bypass for industrial traffic around the City of Carlsbad.
Eddy County, Stantec Engineering Services and Carlsbad’s CEHMM environmental services authored a report on whether the feasibility of using Carrasco Road as a connection between U.S. Highway 285 and U.S. Highway 62/180. Both highways saw increased traffic and delays thanks to an oil and gas boom over the past few in Carlsbad and southern Eddy County.
Meetings with the public and property owners along Carrasco Road were ongoing since 2022, including one held March 7 of this year.
The report indicated that the Carrasco Road connection would "improve safety, air quality and capacity of the Eddy County loop by completing connections to provide a fluid transportation system around the City of Carlsbad."
More:Eddy County Commission seeks input ahead of decision on route for Carrasco Road
In early January the Eddy County Board of County Commissioners tabled the selection of a proposed route, choosing instead to seek additional input from property owners along Carrasco Road and the general public.
During the meeting held March 7 a suggestion was made to include the use of Dark Canyon Road in the study and planning phase. Former Eddy County Commissioner Guy Lutman also suggested the use of Black River Village Road as another option.
“(If) the County were to improve Black River Village (Road) a lot of money would have to be invested,” he said. "I don’t think you’re going to benefit from that."
More:Eddy County continues to study Carrasco Road as link between major highways
Eddy County Community Services Director Wesley Hooper said Black River Village Road may not be a feasible option.
“There are too many draws that would require bridges, I believe right of way cost would be higher, this would create much more turning movements in order to stay on the loop, intersection costs would be much higher. The final decision would of course be up to the commissioners,” he said.
Six options were drawn up in the report and presented at the March 7 meeting.
Various methods were illustrated including a straight-line diverting traffic from the highways. Other options would move Carrasco Road to the southwest to U.S. 62/180.
Another option would use Derrick Road as a relief route, well north of Carrasco Road, the report indicated.
Hooper said the sixth option appeared to be the best one for the proposed route.
According to the report, 23 property owners would be affected as construction crews would realign the existing Carrasco Road to Porter Road.
The new road would then realign to the south, continuing to the west, then southwest crossing private and New Mexico state land then intersecting with U.S. 62/180, the report indicated.
The report noted that Carrasco Road and Porter Road would be closed if county commissioners choose option six. Access to properties on Carrasco Road would be through Grandi Road.
More:City, County and NMDOT move to finish loop roads connecting major highways
“I see it going to the commission as a discussion item either the first meeting in April or the second meeting in April. It would then come back the following meeting for approval,” Hooper said.
He said commissioners could vote on the selected option in either April or May if significant changes are not made.
“If the commission decides to move forward my estimated construction time at the soonest would be a year and a half from now,” Hooper said.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Eddy County narrows options for Carrasco Road project
