Eddy County West Loop Road opens after nearly 40 years in planning stage

Mike Smith, Carlsbad Current-Argus
·2 min read

A western loop road connecting two major United States highways in Carlsbad nearly 40 years in the making officially opened July 18.

Officials from Eddy County, the City of Carlsbad and the State of New Mexico held a ribbon cutting christening the new West Loop Road connecting U.S. Highway 285 with U.S. Highway 62/180, said Eddy County Public Works Director Jason Burns.

He said original plans for the West Loop Road were drawn up around 1986. After nearly 30 years of dormancy, Eddy County pondered the road project in 2014 and construction moved forward in 2021.

More: West Loop Road intersection opens as overall construction heads into final weeks

Burns said the county was the lead agency on the construction work as the City of Carlsbad and the State of New Mexico helped out with the $18 million project as the construction was complete in two years.

He said the cost of the project was 60 percent of an original estimate quoted in 2014.

“The City of Carlsbad was proud to be a partner with Eddy County in the West Loop Road project,” said Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway.

Dignitaries from the State of New Mexico, Eddy County and City of Carlsbad gathered for a ribbon cutting for the brand new West Loop Road on July 18, 2023.
Dignitaries from the State of New Mexico, Eddy County and City of Carlsbad gathered for a ribbon cutting for the brand new West Loop Road on July 18, 2023.

“Completion of this road allows our community to grow, and it protects the safety of our citizens by moving large trucks away from a residential area,” he added.

Janway said the West Loop Road alleviates traffic on Lea Street where Cottonwood Elementary School and the Eddy County Early Childhood Center are located.

Burns said the City of Carlsbad was a “big partner” in the West Loop Road project.

More: Eddy County continues to mull options for road linking major highways around Carlsbad

State Rep. Jim Townsend (R-54) said the West Loop Road would provide a boost for industries working in and around Carlsbad.

Townsend, State Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R-55) and outgoing State Sen. Gay Kernan (R-42) set aside Capital Outlay Money to contribute to the project.

“We’re all supporters of it. We helped where we could with the highway department (New Mexico Department of Transportation),” Townsend said.

Eddy County Manager Roberta Gonzales speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the West Loop Road on July 18, 2023.
Eddy County Manager Roberta Gonzales speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the West Loop Road on July 18, 2023.

He said the West Loop Road expansion could lead to a larger tax base with energy companies and retailers opening new businesses.

“Eddy County desperately needed it,” Townsend said.

Francisco Sanchez, New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District 2 engineer, said the West Loop Road eases traffic around Carlsbad.

“Really Carlsbad is going to see the benefit from our end. The U.S. highway (285) does travel through Carlsbad so that is going to help us with our maintenance and improve traffic conditions,” he 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 opens $18M West Loop Road connecting major highways