Road work leading to slow traffic

Motorists should be aware of slowdowns due to the latest roadwork that began this week on Mountain Road south of Tucumcari Boulevard in Tucumcari.

Construction began Monday on roadway rehabilitation and extension of a concrete box culvert on about 1.65 miles of Mountain Road, aka U.S. 54, from north of Interstate 40 to East Saxon Avenue, in Tucumcari.

Motorists in this area should expect delays and give themselves extra time to reach their destinations.

The work will add lanes, new curbs and Americans with Disabilities-compliant sidewalks from north of I-40 to Tucumcari Boulevard.

Workers also will widen the roadway from north of Tucumcari Boulevard to south of East Saxon Avenue to add a median, which will include turn-lane access points from U.S. 54 to Tucumcari Boulevard and East Main Street, as well as improve erosion control in that area.

Regular work hours on this project are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, though the contractor may work longer hours or on weekends if needed.

Construction is expected to last through late 2022 and include two phases.

One phase will rebuild the east side of U.S. 54, and the second will rebuild the west side of that roadway.

The first phase, which includes detour pavement and extending the box culvert, is expected to last through June. One lane will be open in both directions.

The second phase is scheduled to begin in late June and until winter weather suspends work.

Workers also will rebuild the northeast quadrant of U.S. 54 and Tucumcari Boulevard.

El Terrero Construction of Rio Rancho is the contractor of the $10.5 million project, which is funded by the Federal Highway Administration and the New Mexico Department of Transportation.