Highway 68 Lane Restrictions Removed During Thanksgiving Holiday

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By New Mexico Gas Co.

Last month, we announced initial plans for the Taos Mainline project over the Thanksgiving holiday, with crews off work but the traffic barriers remaining in place and pilot vehicles escorting motorists through the work zone. We felt at the time that doing so would facilitate completion of the project.

After consultation with the New Mexico Department of Transportation, we now feel it will be better for the Taos and Pilar communities, as well as any visiting motorists, to fully reopen the road over the Thanksgiving holiday. Consequently, we have decided to remove the lane restrictions on Highway 68 during the 4-day holiday period. Traffic controls will be restored the following Monday.

Here is our current construction and road closure plan:

• We will work through Wednesday, November 22, 2017, and resume construction on Monday, November 27, 2017. The highway will be fully reopened before crews leave for Thanksgiving.
• Traffic restrictions will be restored on Monday, November 27, 2017. We will then work through Thursday, December 21, 2017.
• Whether the project is completed or not, we will have the barriers removed and the road fully reopened by noon on Friday, December 22, 2017. We will leave the road open at least through Tuesday, January 2, 2018.
• If the project is not completed by December 22, we will work with NMDOT to determine the schedule for returning to finish construction.

NMGC representatives remain available to attend public meetings or visit with civic organizations to discuss the Taos Mainline project and answer questions. Please contact me with questions or comments or to schedule a meeting.

Project Background – Because of shifting soils on the west side of the river, the natural gas pipeline known as the “Taos Mainline” is being replaced in the Rio Grande Gorge between Rinconada and Pilar. The new pipeline is being installed in the right-of-way along the shoulder of New Mexico 68. The Taos Mainline delivers natural gas to customers in Taos, Questa, Red River and surrounding communities.