NM 585 Widening

Huitt-Zollars provided planning, environmental, and design services for 2.1 miles of highway from NM 68 to US 64 in Taos. The highway section was experiencing rapid urbanization, and designated as a truck bypass route around the community. A Public Involvement Plan provided community input and addressed accident, speed, congestion and pedestrian concerns. Planning studies evaluated more than ten alternatives to improve and widen the highway; the selected plan provides five traffic roundabouts instead of conventional intersections. The roundabouts accommodate WB 50 truck movements. Pedestrian crossings are provided along the route, away from the roundabouts. The highway was widened to a four lane divided configuration.