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SANTA FE, NM- On Friday, July 21st Santa Fe County will open the newly constructed roundabout to traffic on Richards Ave. and Avenida del Sur intersection according to our sixty-day calendar contract timeframe. This is the first of six roundabouts slated for the Northeast and Southeast Connectors Roads Project. Motorists and pedestrians, please be aware that contractors will still be cleaning up the construction site and installing signage along the roadway.

In addition to this reopening, the Rancho Viejo trail connection located at the southwest quadrant of this intersection has also been completed and will officially reopen to pedestrian and bicycle traffic on July 21st. Please consider taking advantage of the new segment of trail during these long summer days and as always, please be safe.

It is important to note that there will be a subsequent closure of Richards Ave. and Avenida del Sur in upcoming months for a brief 24-hour period to install solar street lighting. Due to supply chain delays the vendor could not provide the materials during the initial closure and is working with Santa Fe County to replace the street light bases in a timely fashion.

Anticipate Upcoming Closure:

Tentatively, beginning mid-August, Santa Fe County will close a portion of Richards Avenue North of Dinosaur Trail and South of Beckner Rd. for the construction of the second round-about. Please note that Dinosaur Trail will not be closed. The contractor has 60 days to complete this new segment of road, slating the reopening for October 2023. Residents can anticipate detour maps, construction scheduling and other relative information on the anticipated closure one week before construction commences. 

In coordination for Santa Fe Public Schools, the County will be issuing a full detour at the beginning of the school year that may impact routes to Amy Beal, IAIA, Santa Maria de la Paz, SFCC, BTI, ATC, and Easter Seals Disability Services.

We want to thank the residents for their patience as traffic detours may delay your route to work, school, or for recreational purposes. This is the largest and most anticipated road project in Santa Fe County history, and we trust that upon completion will become the most powerful conduit in effectively connecting the Community College District.

For additional information regarding the project, please visit www.sfcconnectors.com or contact Johnny Baca, Project Manager 3, at jpbaca@santafecountynm.gov

For media inquiries, please contact Olivia Romo, Communications Coordinator at orromo@santafecountynm.gov