Los Alamos Transportation Board Meeting – March 5, 2026

The Transportation Board met on March 5, 2026, to receive presentations on the Denver Steels Phase III improvements and the Atomic City Transit Saturday Service Pilot, elect new officers, and hear the monthly Public Works staff report. The meeting included a public hearing for the Denver Steels project and discussion of long-term Saturday transit options.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved unanimously as presented.
• Approval of Minutes: The February 5, 2026 Transportation Board minutes were approved unanimously with no corrections.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Denver Steels Phase III Public Meeting: Multiple residents of the project area spoke during the public hearing portion of the presentation:
  • A resident asked about stakes marking the roadway and whether plantings would be restored. The project manager explained the stakes mark curb and gutter offsets and that landscaping remediation would be addressed with the contractor.
  • Katie Brule (Pueblo Drive resident) reported that plantings and yards had been dug up during Phase II and urged the board to protect property. Staff responded that they would remind contractors to be careful and address remediation.
  • Cheryl Kuskey (Pueblo Drive) requested a sidewalk on the non-sidewalk side of her street. Staff said she could submit a written comment.
  • Chris Judson (Pueblo Drive) expressed frustration about lack of communication regarding sidewalk placement and water meter locations. Staff provided details on the phased approach and promised to follow up with his address.
  • A written comment from Jay Lynch asked about proper grading on Questa Drive to prevent water/snow collection. Staff confirmed the road would be crowned.
  • Another resident asked about asphalt scheduling; staff explained that each street would get a first lift and then a final lift after all utility work is complete.

Discussion Items

• Denver Steels Improvements Project Phase III (File 21360-26): Eric Ulibarri, County Engineer, and Jeremy Lawn, Project Manager, presented the project. The area includes 34th, 35th, Ridgeway, Questa, and Pueblo Drives. The project is a joint Public Works and Department of Public Utilities effort with a $3.8 million roadway budget (FY27 CIP) and $1.2 million for utility upgrades from the DPU 10-Year Plan. The road reconstruction includes 4-inch asphalt, curb and gutter, sidewalk, ADA ramps, and broadband installation. The average Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is 46.5 (scale 1–100). Design is in-house; construction is anticipated to bid summer 2026 and complete spring/summer 2027. Staging areas identified at Olive Street, Ridgeway Playlot, and Sycamore Street. Public comment period open until April 17, 2026. Board members asked clarifying questions; no action taken.

• Atomic City Transit Saturday Service Pilot Program Update (File 21361-26): Transit Manager James Barela and Senior Management Analyst Anna Brunson presented results of the 13-week pilot (August 2 – October 25, 2025). The on-demand service operated Saturdays 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (last pickup) within Los Alamos and White Rock. Key statistics: 359 completed trips, 471 riders, 314 new rider profiles, 96 unique riders. Destinations: Smith’s (44 trips), Library, Speedway, Mountain Vista, etc. Trip purposes: 36% shopping, 36% social, 13% other, 8% nutrition, 5% employment, 2% education, <1% medical. 59.23% of trips were shared rides. On-time performance 98.6%. Post-service survey: 157 respondents, 90 of whom did not use the service. Top reasons for not using: have a car, out of town, scheduling conflicts, health issues, uncertainty about reliability. Desired improvements: later service hours, more public awareness, shorter pickup windows (already reduced from 30 to 15 minutes). The service cost approximately $59 per hour. Current driver shortage: 3 full-time and 2 limited-term vacancies, with an additional 2 drivers expected to leave soon (total 7). Staff is seeking a consultant ($80,000 estimated) to model a sustainable Saturday service, potentially using federal funding (80/20 match). Board members expressed support for the pilot but questioned the need for a consultant versus extending the pilot itself. Staff explained that the consultant study is required for FTA service planning and would help reallocate existing fixed-route resources to free up drivers for Saturday service. The study is expected to conclude by July/August 2026.

• Election of Chair and Vice Chair for 2026 (File 21362-26): Chair Hampton presided over the election. David Hampton was nominated and unanimously re-elected as Chair. For Vice Chair, Joshua Muck was nominated; in a roll call vote, Muck received 6 votes (unanimous), defeating a self-nomination by Member Geppert-Kleinrath. The new Chair and Vice Chair will serve for 2026.

• Public Works Staff Report (File 21363-26): Public Works Director Eric Martinez provided updates:

  • Wayfinding signage: 19 signs installed along Central Avenue and Canyon Road; 120 bases previously installed.
  • Street crews grading Rendija and Bayo Canyons roads for fire evacuation preparedness.
  • Bandelier National Park service contract expected soon; service will be internal to the park, dates to be announced by NPS.
  • A $4.5 million grant was awarded for reconstruction of the Canyon del Bui Trail in White Rock (from Rover to Overlook), converting it to a wider, hard-surface multi-use trail.
  • Rumble strips on NM 502 (Airport Road to East Gate Drive) installation expected within two weeks.
  • The Airport T-hangar project: contractor mobilizing in 2-3 weeks; hangar structure delivery expected August 2026; construction to be near fuel farm with access maintained.
  • Airport taxiway relocation and access road: awaiting grant agreement; design at 30% conceptual; construction anticipated around 2028.
  • Board members asked about pedestrian-level wayfinding for the Canyon del Bui Trail and coordination with the White Rock food truck pad; staff said these would be considered during design.

Key Outcomes

• Election: David Hampton re-elected Chair, Joshua Muck elected Vice Chair (unanimous).
• Minutes Approved: February 5, 2026 minutes approved as presented.
• Denver Steels Phase III Public Hearing: No formal action taken; public comment period open until April 17, 2026.
• Saturday Service Pilot: Presentation received; staff directed to proceed with consultant study and explore funding. No formal vote.
• Staff Report: Acknowledged; no action items.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for April 2, 2026; potential agenda item on EV fleet metrics (pending).