GRANTS, N.M. – Residents turned out at the council chambers of Grants City Hall for the second meeting pertaining to the Sakelares Boulevard Corridor Study. Citizens listened to a presentation by Wilson and Company on the proposed plans for the 2.6-mile stretch of road from Highway 117 to Lobo Canyon Road.
Wilson and Company, a contracting group the city utilizes to do construction work, presented three options to the city: The first is to do nothing; the second is to restructure the road with conventional intersections; the third is to place three roundabouts, one at George Hanosh and Sakelares, another at Mt. Taylor and Sakelares, and finally at Roosevelt and Sakelares. There are also plans to place bike and walking paths for citizens to use, and streetlights going the entire length of George Hanosh.
It was noted during the meeting that George Hanosh has a low vehicle crash rate and most of these crashes occur at the intersections of 117 and Lobo Canyon Rd. The reason for most of these crashes is the poor turn lane design which does not meet current standards. Wilson and Company stated 2,295 vehicles use George Hanosh every day.
A geological study by Wilson and Co. found that the soil beneath the road and water erosion are major contributors to its current condition. The asphalt on the road is also insufficient to hold heavy truck traffic. When the new road is paved, there will be improvements to withstand heavy vehicles. The biggest issue is exten-
Courtesy Map sive asphalt wear and failing subgrade.
Another issue is that the road was built in pieces and inconsistent asphalt depths along with poor soil and drainage contributed to the deterioration of the road.
Citizens were divided on the use of roundabouts. One of the issues involved the widening of the intersections. Approximately two acres are needed to properly implement these roundabouts and some property owners may lose a small portion of land if roundabouts are placed at these intersections.
The plan presented by Wilson and Company is to transform Sakelares Blvd into an active corridor. Sakelares Blvd is not a state road or a truck route, and the city is responsible for maintaining the 2.6-mile stretch of road. It was questioned if roundabouts were put in if semi-trucks would have problems navigating through them, and it was stated that large vehicles could easily use them.
The company is currently seeking federal funding and when federal funding is used, it must follow Department of Transportation standards in constructing the road. It was stated the new road to be built, regardless of which option is chosen, will last 20 years.