Work on 592 to Tie Up Traffic for Two Weeks or More

Road crews, like this one, are coming soon to 592.

Starting on Monday Vista Redonda residents can expect delays getting to and from town as the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) begins work on State Route 592. NMDOT is going to apply chip seal to five miles of the road from the base to Chupadero. The work will take two weeks or more, depending on the weather.

     Chip seal is a road surface made by combining asphalt with aggregate like small gravel. It is one of the forms of pavement that is being considered by county officials for the Vista Redonda neighborhood roads.

     NMDOT officials said the work will be performed between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Asa result daytime drivers will face delays, as well as single lane closures with a flagging operation and pilot car escort. Drivers are asked to proceed through the work zone with caution, watch for signage and observe reduced speed limits. Bicycling through the work zone is discouraged due to the oily surface, loose gravel, and heavy truck traffic.

     "The last time they did this DOT lowered the speed limit from 50 to 30 and left it that way for over a year," reports Chupadero resident Paul White.

    He further warns to be careful about following other cars too closely during the work. "Even 100 feet behind another car gravel can be thrown and hit your windshield, "White said. "I was going to replace my windshield but now I'll wait."