Los Alamos County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Los Alamos County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Canyon Road median redesign
The county is weighing design options for the Canyon Median, landscaping many residents drive past daily. Superintendent Wendy Parker presented options but no decision was made yet.
Fairway Drive reconstruction and utility replacement
Fairway Drive is rated 'poor' (PCI 42.5) and gets a full rebuild in 2027 along with new water lines and sewer rerouting from backyards to the street. Residents wanted specifics on how their properties will be affected.
White Rock traffic communication failures
An old concentric-neutral cable failed near Aragon and Grand Canyon, blacking out much of White Rock; crews replaced it in three hours. Separately, about 60 street lights are out while newly hired staff work through the backlog.
North Mesa roundabout capacity with new development
A board member asked whether the Diamond Drive roundabout can handle traffic from new North Mesa housing. Staff said a traffic study found adequate capacity.
Diamond Drive/Sandia site plan traffic impacts
A recently approved site plan near the high school — overflow parking plus up to seven food trucks — may worsen congestion on Diamond Drive. Board members urged close monitoring this school year.
Green bike lanes and cyclist safety
The county's first green bike lane marking went in at Sullivan Field, with a survey coming. A bike box at West Road and Diamond Drive is in the works, and board members want real physical protection — not just paint — between bikes and cars.
Trinity Drive / NM 502 pedestrian safety improvements
Trinity Drive will drop to one westbound lane with new bike lanes and better sidewalks, with construction starting in June. Some businesses worry about parking and lunchtime traffic, and residents are asking for more physical separation between cars and bikes.
Regional transit funding
The Council authorized seeking $7.27 million in federal rural transit funds for FY2028 to keep Atomic City Transit's buses, operations, and equipment running, and separately endorsed the regional transit district's FY2027 budget.
Central Avenue crosswalk visibility and parking
Parked cars are blocking sight lines at Central Avenue crosswalks. Staff recommend targeted parking removal, but downtown parking is a touchy subject, and some board members argue flashing beacons would work better.
Finch Street Extension and hospital safety
A $2.7 million project will relocate the Los Alamos Medical Center driveway and extend Finch Street, aiming to improve safety near Trinity and Diamond drives, with completion targeted for December.
Transit service expansion and Saturday service study
Atomic City Transit won a rural transit system of the year award and has launched a six-month Stantec study to explore Saturday service and better use of resources — if driver vacancies allow. Businesses are asking about lunchtime lab-to-downtown shuttles.
NM 4 corridor study and White Rock crossings
After a bad traffic day on 502, business owners and residents are asking what the evacuation plan actually is. Staff noted Rendija Canyon Road has been rebuilt yearly as a backup evacuation route.
Four-Way Stop Petition at North Road and Urban Street
After a pedestrian fatality, residents petitioned for a four-way stop. Staff data collection is done; a recommendation comes June 4, with council deciding by June 23. Neighbors worry the steep, icy approach complicates a four-way stop.