Project Overview

The NMDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, is proposing improvements to the intersection of NM Highway 14 (NM 14), NM Highway 536 (NM 536), and Frost Road in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. These three roadways are significant thoroughfares in the East Mountain region and the intersection provides interconnectivity to numerous local communities including Cedar Crest, San Antonito, Sandia Park, and Tijeras as well as recreational access to lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service. NM 14 runs north-south connecting Santa Fe to Albuquerque and also known as the Turquoise Trail, a National Scenic Byway.  The current project involves the design and construction of a roundabout that will replace the existing intersection and will keep traffic flowing from all directions.

In 2017 and 2018, the NMDOT conducted a Phase 1-A/B Study (Study) for NM 14 from Interstate 40 (milepost 0.0) to NM 536/Frost Road (milepost 6.1) under Control Number A301440.   The purpose of the Study was to improve driver expectation, improve access spacing, and consider multi-modal opportunities. During the Study Phase, the intersection was analyzed and design alternatives were developed.  The Study found that the roundabout alternative analyzed ranked the highest in terms of meeting the evaluation criteria and with public input was chosen as the preferred alternative.