Los Alamos Transportation Board Meeting – June 4, 2026

The Los Alamos Transportation Board met on June 4, 2026, to receive a presentation on the evaluation of a four‑way (all‑way) stop at the intersection of North Road and Urban Street, following a fatal pedestrian crash and a citizen petition. Staff reported that the all‑way stop had already been implemented temporarily as an engineering decision. The board also received updates from the County Council liaison and Public Works staff on multiple ongoing projects.

Consent Calendar

• The Board unanimously approved the agenda as presented.
• The Board unanimously approved the minutes from the May 7, 2026 Transportation Board meeting as presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comment was offered for items not on the agenda at the start of the meeting.
• During the discussion of the all‑way stop, no public testimony was offered from the audience or online attendees.

Discussion Items

• North Road and Urban Street Intersection All‑Way Stop Evaluation – Traffic and Streets Manager Tim Walker presented the staff analysis conducted after a fatal pedestrian crash on March 15, 2026. A citizen petition from the Girl Scouts Pajarito Service Unit (representing five registered voters) was submitted on March 25, 2026. On April 7, 2026, the County Council directed staff to investigate and return with a recommendation within 90 days. Staff evaluated the intersection using the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) warrants:

  • Warrant A (Crash Experience): Not met (8 crashes in 7.25 years, 1 in the latest 12 months, 4 in the latest 36 months).
  • Warrant B (Sight Distance): Could be met based on engineering judgment due to marginal sight distance on the North Road southbound approach at the 85th percentile speed.
  • Warrant C (Transition to Signal/Roundabout): Not met.
  • Warrant D (8‑Hour Volumes): Not met (no hour exceeded 300 vehicles per hour on Urban Street or 200 on North Road).
  • Warrant E (Other Factors): Could be met because both roads are collector streets of similar design and operating characteristics.
  • Based on warrants B and E and engineering judgment, an all‑way stop was deemed appropriate. The recommended configuration includes advanced warning signs, stop signs at all approaches, new MUTCD signage, painted medians, and additional crosswalks. Staff reported that temporary stop signs and striping were installed on June 3, 2026; permanent signposts are pending utility locates. A press release was issued. Staff also noted collaboration with the University of Nevada, Reno to deploy LiDAR sensors for traffic and safety data collection, with initial results expected within weeks. Public Works Director Eric Martinez added that the decision to implement was an engineering judgment based on physical site characteristics and that the measures are considered permanent, though further evaluation will occur.
  • Board members expressed appreciation for the swift response. They asked about data sufficiency (only one day of counts in April), the role of temporary cones and median signs (confirmed temporary for education), and requested evaluation of similar intersections (e.g., Grand Canyon and Sherwood in White Rock). Member Connolly advocated for a crosswalk on the west side and painted curb extensions; County Engineer Eric Ulibarri confirmed those additions are planned. Member Edwards noted the positive effect of painted medians but pointed out that bulb‑outs better serve pedestrians and people with disabilities. Member Muck suggested considering flashing stop signs temporarily. Staff acknowledged the need for longer‑term reconstruction of ramps and corners. The board received the report and looked forward to the Council presentation on June 23, 2026.

• Staff Report – Eric Martinez, Public Works Director, gave an update:

  • Finch Street Extension: The contract award recommendation will go to Council on June 9. The project extends Finch Street from 35th Street to Trinity Drive, relocating the Los Alamos Medical Center entrance.
  • Trinity Drive Safety and ADA Improvements: Project awarded; public meeting scheduled for June 16 in Council Chambers.
  • Rumble strips on NM 502 have been installed and are effective.
  • EV charging stations at Mesa Public Library construction restarted after elections.
  • Two new EV buses from Gillig are expected later this month; charging infrastructure is being installed.
  • The ACT My Commute app launches June 8, connecting riders with regional transit agencies.
  • In response to questions: White Rock crosswalk/bulb‑out improvements are planned after slurry seal on Grand Canyon in July; local businesses were encouraged to install stop signs at parking lot exits.
  • Board members complimented the swift crosswalk visibility improvements on Central Avenue and wayfinding signs, and noted positive driver response.

Key Outcomes

• The Board accepted the staff report and the all‑way stop evaluation as informational; no formal vote was taken on the implementation since it had already been deployed as an engineering decision.
• Staff will present the all‑way stop recommendation to the County Council on June 23, 2026.
• Staff committed to evaluating the effectiveness of the all‑way stop using further data collection (including LiDAR) and to consider similar traffic‑calming measures at other collector‑collector intersections.
• Future agenda items noted for the August 6 meeting (no July meeting due to Independence Day) include North Road/Urban Street follow‑up, EV fleet metrics, Fairway Improvements, Ashley Pond bollards, and Denver Steels Phase III.