By Mary Alice Murphy

Filiberto Castorena, assistant engineer at the New Mexico Department of Transportation Deming Office, served as spokesman for the project at a public meeting Tuesday evening.

He introduced those standing with him in front of about 50 people. Brian Torres will serve as project manager; José Gonzales, contractor staff; Vince Peña, with the DOT Las Cruces Office; José Martinez, assistant project manager; and Brian Pollack, contractor superintendent.

"We begin next week," Castorena announced. "We will have activity under the bridge and will start to put up signs. The bridge will be open until mid-to-late March. The heavy drill equipment to drill through the rock is on its way here from Germany.

"The construction process will take seven months," Castorena said. "The area will be closed, and it will be mid-October before it is back open. After the construction is complete, we will repave the Truck By-Pass Road, which will be the official detour, You will see a lot of construction equipment, huge girders and haul trucks coming in before mid-March. We will work from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Each bridge girder weighs 125, 000 pounds. In some cases, we will work overnight. We have 325 calendar days to do everything, and 210 days once we remove the bridge. It has to be open on time or we pay financial damages."

He opened up the meeting to questions and concerns from the audience.

A woman, who has recently moved to the area and has opened a business in downtown Silver City, pointed out that a lot of locals will use Cooper Street, and asked if it would be repaved.

Castorena said the bypass is the official detour. "We can't prohibit anyone from using a public route. The construction traffic will use only the official detour. We have no designated plan to repave Cooper."

Silver City Town Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Cynthia Bettison asked if a traffic light would be placed at the corner of Cooper Street, where it meets New Mexico 90 and crosses to Ridge Road.

"We have no plan for a temporary or permanent traffic light there," Castorena said.

"It is a very dangerous intersection," Bettison emphasized. "I encourage you to put at least a temporary stop light there for the duration of the project."

The same woman, who spoke before, asked if seismic studies had been done, as there are a lot of old, historic buildings near the construction site. "Will you have rerouting signage to downtown or only the detour signs? When I lived in Las Cruces, I saw people lose their business and livelihood with construction."

Castorena said the plan had no provisions for vibration monitoring. "If it becomes an issue, we will look at it."

The woman pointed out the project is dealing with a historic area that is irreplaceable.

"There was an extensive amount of study as part of the environmental clearance assessment of cultural and historic assets," Castorena said. "They said it was not needed. We can put the assessment on our website.

"We have a good working relationship with the city and county," he continued. "If something comes up, we will be responsive. Feedback is part of our job, and we address it."

Mike Rowse, resident, said concerns about Cooper Street were probably not warranted, because it is made of concrete. "What are you doing for relief for downtown merchants? This is a good project and we need it."

Castorena said he and the contractor want to put concerns at ease. "We're excited about the project."

A woman in the audience said those attending the meeting are not negative about the bridge replacement, but have concerns and questions. "What about Daniel Street? Coming off Ridge Road, drivers have to turn left to get to the Bypass. I reiterate the need for a traffic light." A bit of discussion ensued on whether Daniel would be impacted, as it does not go directly to Cooper Street.

Gerald Schultz, Tyrone resident, asked about the intersection of Bypass Road and U.S. 180 west of town.

Castorena said the project is looking at that intersection.

Cissy McAndrew of the Southwest New Mexico Green Chamber suggested new cultural signage to point people to the historic downtown at the ByPass and 180 intersection, as well as one on Silver Heights Boulevard.

"We will address the immediate needs and then maybe consider some permanent signage," Castorena said.

Vince Peña said the DOT would look at the need for new signs.

A woman asked why the DOT and contractor were not addressing the issues before the project begins, instead of after the fact.

Castorena advised those with specific concerns to call or meet with Torres, who handed out business cards.

A woman said a comment in the Silver City Daily Press had said parking would be parallel in front of the Antique Mall, because of expected additional traffic on Broadway. Bettison said the light at Broadway and Bullard would be coordinated with other traffic lights.

Fred Fernandez, who said he lives on Cooper Street, said the city streets are not made for big traffic. "The problem will be the semis. Not all will go on the Bypass. They will try to use Snake Hill (Market Street). I saw a truck get stuck on Sonora Street for 3