NMDOT inspection could lead to full opening of Bataan Street Bridge east of Carlsbad
A final inspection June 15 of the Bataan Memorial Bridge by the New Mexico Department of Transportation could mean the bridge fully reopens to motorists since it was closed last summer, said City of Carlsbad Deputy City Administrator KC Cass.
He said the city was notified June 1 by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) that small portion of the northern bridge had been reopened.
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway said westbound lanes on the northern bridge were closed after NMDOT personnel observed deterioration on the structure on Aug. 8, 2022.
More: Bataan Memorial Bridge nears reopening as structural repairs continue
He said the southside of the bridge was converted to single-lane eastbound and westbound traffic as construction on the northside started in December.
Janway said NMDOT had to lift the bridge and replace a pier. He said the state had also completed other repairs on the $1 million project.
“All the concrete repairs and replacement bearings is complete. We are currently working on getting the bridge deck restoration completed. The project should be completed and reopened by June 17,” said Jessica Best, construction management analyst with the NMDOT’s District 2 office in Roswell.
Cass said striping on the bridge was set to start June 19.
City and Carlsbad Municipal Schools applaud partial reopening
“I think its going to help with traffic. Right now we’ve got it going east in one lane and west in one lane. That’s just a high traffic area. I think all of us on City Council want to make sure that bridge is safe,” said Ward 2 Councilor Jeff Forrest.
The bridge spans the Pecos River and U.S. Highway 62/180 is the major east/west route from Texas and Lea County to Carlsbad.
NMDOT estimates 17,000 vehicles travel across the Bataan Street Bridge daily.
“So many people come off that Hobbs Highway there. We’re excited to get it back open. Getting that thing fully opened with the amount of traffic that we have,” Forrest said.
Forrest said a fully opened bridge should help downtown business traffic.
More: Work continues on bridge crossing in Carlsbad
“I know that people have been patient because it has been a process. I think its going to be a real shot in the arm for businesses, particularly downtown and on the northside of the highway,” he said.
Carlsbad Municipal Schools (CMS) Superintendent Dr. Gerry Washburn said buses traveling west into Carlsbad were delayed when the northern bridge was first closed.
Once traffic was reopened on the southern bridge student transportation was not a problem.
“This will help traffic flow and travel times on our routes. (CMS is) pleased to see this necessary project come to a close,” he said.
More: New report emphasizes need for increased investment in SENM road projects
Carlsbad repairs shows larger need for more bridge and road work
“The challenges faced in the Carlsbad area due to the closure and ongoing reopening of the regionally significant Bataan Memorial Bridge illustrates the tremendous challenge of keeping New Mexico’s aging bridges open to traffic,” said Rocky Moretti, director of policy and research for the National Transportation Research Project (TRIP).
In February of this year TRIP released a report noting that New Mexico roads and bridges were deteriorated, congested or lack some desirable safety features.
The road and bridge issues cost New Mexico’s motorists $3 billion yearly, as much $2,888 per driver in some areas, according to the study.
The study reported $5.75 billion was needed fix roads and bridges across the state.
“The efficiency and condition of New Mexico’s transportation system, particularly its highways, is critical to the health of the state’s economy. Annually, $125 billion in goods are shipped to and from New Mexico, relying heavily on the state’s network of roads and bridges,” cited the February study.
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: NMDOT to inspect Bataan Street Bridge for full reopening
