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Road construction finishes early

BY KARLI MASSEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY REBECCA GUSTAF

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Sandia and KAFB cooperate to increase base security, improve traffic flow ahead of schedule and under budget

new Eubank gate intersection
SAFE SPACE — The 20th St. and G Ave. intersection was moved farther west to increase the threat containment distance after vehicles enter the Eubank gate and provide a roadway to the new NNSA Albuquerque Complex (background left) currently under construction.

Construction of the 12-month road project on Kirtland Air Force Base, west of the Eubank gate entrance, began Oct. 1, 2019. The purpose of the project was to make security improvements to the military base and to pave a road that provides access to the new NNSA Albuquerque Complex currently under construction.

Because of reduced traffic related to the telework policies put in place due to the pandemic, the project schedule was consolidated and finished ahead of schedule and under budget.

new paths marked for cyclists and pedestrians
IMPROVED FLOW — The new outbound traffic flow will reduce wait times when leaving the base during peak hours. A new shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians also will improve commuting options.

Project stats:

  • 25,055 cubic yards of earthwork moved
  • 10,000 tons of base course and 11,500 tons of asphalt used to repave existing roadways, pave two new roads and created a shared-use path
  • 5,000 cubic yards of concrete used to construct curbs and gutters
  • 42,000 linear feet of electrical wire fed for new streetlights and traffic signals
  • 0 safety incidents

Click here to view a time-lapse video of the construction project.

Eubank gate approach from outside KAFB
EARLY OPEN — Lanes at the Eubank gate reopened to base traffic on Aug. 17. The project initially did not call for closure of the gate; however, pandemic work restrictions significantly reduced traffic during construction, so the gate was closed for several weeks, allowing crews to complete the project early.