Clicky

City of Oceanside

Eddy County funds $45M for road projects in FY 2021

Eddy County’s Public Works Department spent around $45 million for road projects last fiscal year in all sections of the county, said Director Jason Burns.

“We’ve really put an effort and really pushed forward, and we make sure we get these done,” he said as the 2020/2021 fiscal year concluded Wednesday.

One of the projects undertaken by the Public Works Department was connecting two major highways in southern Eddy County.

More:Energy companies thank State for $87M in road construction funds

“We’ve completed Derrick (Road) from Old Cavern (Highway) to Black River Village (Road). We completed Black River Village all the way from (U.S. Highway) 285 to U.S. 62/180 all the way through with a paving project and Eddy County chip seal project,” Burns said.

“Black River is going to be a good corridor to connect the two major highways that go through Carlsbad.”

Burns said work on 22 miles of Illinois Camp Road near Artesia was needed as it connects United States highway 82 with the George Shoup Relief Route north of Carlsbad.

A pickup truck drives by the Eddy County Fairgrounds in Artesia on July 1, 2021. Eddy County Public Works Department spent $600,000 to maintain South 13th Street in Artesia.

Another road project in the Artesia area would benefit Eddy County Fair goers in late July, according to Burns.

A stretch of South 13th Street near the Eddy County Fairgrounds was maintained, and chip sealed for a smoother surface, he said.

Burns said some projects from the previous fiscal year carried over to 2021/2022, which started Thursday.

“U.S. Refinery (Road) is progressing steadily, the construction is underway. I know they’ve been working on concrete and grading,” he said.

Burns said U.S. Refinery Road work is a multi-phase project and plans for the second phase are in the works.

Constructors Inc. is the contractor for the U.S. Refinery Road project.

Eddy County Public Works Director Jason Burns

Another carryover is the West Loop Road around Carlsbad. Burns said ground was broken in early June where Hidalgo Road will intersect with the West Loop Road.

“We are proceeding with the design on the north and south ends of it and we’re looking forward to getting that construction on both ends of that going hopefully in August,” he said.

Estimated cost of the West Loop project is $8 million. The road was estimated at six miles, with two miles crossing into the Carlsbad City Limits.

A screen capture from the June 9, 2021 Carlsbad City Council meeting shows the West Loop Relief Route connecting United States Highways 285 and 62/180.

The City of Carlsbad is paying around $3 million to help Eddy County with the work.

Burns said talks are ongoing with the Bureau of Land Management for rights of way on West Loop Road.

He said work on the West Loop Road will be the top project this fiscal year.

“This is going to be my predominant focus to get through and get it completed next year,” Burns said.