Security Perimeter Project continues
New detours in the intersection of Diamond Drive and Jemez Road as part of the Security Perimeter Project are scheduled to occur this evening. And a number of changes are scheduled to occur over the next week; Lab employees should be alert to changes in traffic through this intersection that takes employees into Technical Area 3.
Major traffic changes continue until approximately September 21. The changes will impact traffic on East and West Jemez Road, and Diamond Drive in the vicinity of the Diamond/Jemez intersection, said Mark Harris of Program Project Security (PP-SEC).
Beginning about 6 this evening, one northbound lane from the Diamond/Jemez intersection onto the south end of the Omega Bridge will be closed permanently so that one lane from the new alignment of East Jemez Road can be tied into the south end of the Omega Bridge and opened Friday. The second, northbound lane onto the Omega Bridge will be tied in and opened this weekend. All northbound lanes from the Diamond/Jemez intersection to the town site will be permanently closed by late Sunday. (See Weekend Work Drawing Map).
The new traffic signal on East Jemez Drive at the new Laboratory entrance will be put into operation at about 9 a.m. Friday. This intersection will be referred to as the East Jemez/Laboratory entrance intersection. When the signal is activated Friday, westbound traffic on the truck route may now proceed straight ahead into Los Alamos or turn left into the Laboratory. Traffic on the truck route headed to the town site will no longer need to go through the Diamond/Jemez intersection. Please read and follow the direction signs and obey the traffic signal.
Starting at approximately 6 p.m. Friday evening, traffic exiting the Laboratory toward Los Alamos or Santa Fe will be re-routed for the weekend. Traffic will be routed south from the Diamond/Jemez intersection onto the loop bypass road (where the new entrance for the Park and Ride commuter bus drop-off and pick-up lot is located). This detour is for the weekend only and facilitates raising the east end of the Diamond/Jemez intersection to its final height, said Harris. (See Weekend Work Drawing map).
By Sunday evening, (September 17), the two new northbound lane tie-ins onto the Omega Bridge will be completed and open for traffic. The northbound section of Diamond Drive from the Diamond/Jemez intersection to the Omega Bridge will be permanently closed (See Phase 4 Drawing Map)
Beginning Monday (September 18) all traffic exiting TA-3 from the Diamond/Jemez intersection must head east to the East Jemez/Lab entrance intersection, Harris explained. At the East Jemez/Lab intersection, a right turn leads down the truck route and a left turn leads into Los Alamos (see Phase 4 Drawing Map).
Motorists should follow the directional signs to their destinations. Southbound traffic from Los Alamos will continue to proceed across the Omega Bridge into TA-3 for a few more days, said Harris.
Work will continue on the Diamond Drive-Jemez Road intersection area for a couple of more weeks as additional lanes are constructed. Stay tuned for additional articles on upcoming changes.
Lab employees, other motorists and bicyclists should adhere to traffic controls and signs, designed to help clarify the detours and directions. The posted speed limit is 25 mph in the construction area.
