While 2021 has had its share of new challenges, one incredible positive for the year is that we are seeing the start of significant progress on the loop road effort. As Carlsbad continues to grow, having bypass options around the city in all directions will greatly help with both economic development and safety.
We are proud to be working with Eddy County on this campaign, which is focused in two locations.
Construction of the West Bypass is scheduled to begin at the end of August. This will be a new road beginning on the west end of Lea Street and going south to Corrales Road. Completion of this road will greatly reduce all forms of traffic on Lea Street, especially heavy truck traffic, and make child pickup and drop-off a bit easier there.
The East Bypass is already under construction. This process begins where 62-180 meets the George Shoup Relief Route and heads south to link to Old Refinery Road. As Carlsbad continues to grow, these bypasses will become more and more important to commercial vehicles.
Of course, in addition improvements around town, we’re also focused on addressing some of the roads impacted by recent flooding – both in terms of immediate needs and in handling long-term improvements.
Next week, we will begin construction of a temporary road on Hidalgo around the low-water crossing there. This will allow us to re-open Hidalgo. We are also making improvements to all of our low water crossings and are working on engineering to repairs to San Jose and Callaway.
The intersection of Radio Boulevard and Boyd Drive has been a priority for a long time, and it remains a focus in response to this summer’s floods. In a recent development, we have identified a grant opportunity as a potential source of funding for building a bridge at this intersection. The Permian Strategic Partnership, which is comprised of a consortium of local energy companies, has agreed to provide for 50% of services for completing this important grant application. We appreciate PSP’s assistance with this grant writing process.
Residents around the Cherry Lane area probably felt like they were living in a maze at some point. The good news is that Cherry Lane at North Canal has been repaved and is now re-open from North Canal to Sandy Lane. Upgrades on the other end of the neighborhood – near the intersection of Callaway Drive and Cherry Lane, are continuing, however. This is a large scale, multi-phase project.
Another major project- Kircher Street- has been completed and is back open. We have recently completed Peach Lane, and Curry Lane is in the process of being repaved. The City of Carlsbad recently completed median improvements along Canal Street that look great. We have also completed repaving on Pecan Street between National Parks and Old Cavern Highways and are still working on drainage improvements
Future projects include work on repaving Quay Street and Riverside Drive from North Canal to Mesa.
In October, we will kick off our neighborhood rehabilitation program, which involves focusing on routine maintenance across Carlsbad. Priorities will include Country Club Circle and the Sunnyview Subdivision.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway