Project requests public input
Courtesy of Concerned Catwalk Citizens
Justin Henwood, project manager for New Mexico Department of Transportation, gave the presentation on the two, possibly three Catwalk Access options. Large aerial maps were on display with the Options marked.
Funding for the project is provided by the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP). The monies are only available for improving or providing access to public lands through transportation projects.
The purpose of this particular project is to improve access to the Catwalk and reduce maintenance needs. The FLAP has granted this project $4.5 million to begin the screening process. The environmental recourse evaluation looks at these elements: air quality, water flooded plains, vegetation, noise, species status, wetlands, recreation and social economics. DoT is beginning the screening phase. All comments from the public are very, very important during this phase.
Two options were presented:
Option #1 would be to build a new road from Hwy159 at Whitewater Mesa down to the Catwalk parking lot.
Option #2 would be to improve Catwalk Road 174, with widening and other improvements beginning past Circle Drive.
Option #3 remains. Do Nothing and keep 174 as it is, possibly repaving it.
Option #1 has the preliminary lowest estimated cost for maintenance and building. It would include improving Hwy 159 to the new road. Justin had not driven over 159 until the day of the meeting and now he understands it will require quite a bit of work. The roadway will have 11 foot wide lanes with a 1 foot shoulder. The shoulder will not be marked as a bike lane. There will have to be cement retaining walls up to 30 feet. This alternative has the highest potential for environmental, economic and visual impacts. It has the lowest emergency egress risk as well as right of way (ROW) impacts, because the road will be on Forest Service land.
Option #2 has the preliminary highest cost, maintenance and ROW impacts. It will have minimal or no new environmental, economic, noise and, visual impacts. There will still be a moderate safety risk. The roadway will be elevated and widened to 11 foot lanes with a 1 foot shoulder, starting at Circle Drive. Currently the road has 9 foot lanes with no shoulder. The roadway from Hwy 180 to Circle Drive will not be improved due to significant ROW impacts and cost. The drainage improvements are to be determined at the various drainages, probably using box culverts. The low water crossings of the Whitewater would be replaced with 3-span, 2-pier 200 foot bridges at an approximate cost of $1 million each.
Questions were invited from the audience. NMDOT will continue to maintain 174, even if Option #1 is built. David Thornburg pointed out the need for constant dredging under the Whitewater bridge at Hwy 180 and perhaps bridges would not the best way to provide access over the creek, but to improve the low water crossings.
Catron County Commissioner Bucky Allred spoke about the lack of communication about the project. Catron County officials were not informed about the possibility of the project until it was well under consideration.
Justin stated that public comments are very important. The decision of which Option to take will be made based on those comments, concerns, environmental impacts, pedestrian and vehicular safety. The decision makers include USFS, Gila National Forest Supervisor Adam Mendonca and DoT's Justin Henwood.
Justin closed the public meeting by asking for a show of hands of who supported the building of the new road from Hwy 159; only one hand was raised.
Feel free to contact Concerned Catwalk Citizens with questions or comments:
Leanne Bartlett & Loris Garber 575 539-2562
Cordelia Rose, 575 313-1002
Evelyn Wright, 505 860-7654
DoT's Public Meeting Comment Form is attached and must be received by close of business on 31 August 2016.
The editable form may be completed and emailed to Justin Henwood at justin.henwood@dot.gov Or may be printed, completed and handed in to Glenwood Ranger District, attention Anne Casey or mailed to USFS at PO Box 8, Glenwood, NM 88039.
Catwalk Access Road Project
August 17 Public Meeting
Comment Form
Please submit by August 31
Name: __________________________________________________
Physical Address: _______________________________________________________________
Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________________
E-Mail: _____________________________________________
Do you live, work or own property along the alignment study area? __ YES __ NO
How did you hear about this meeting? __________________________________________
Please check the items of importance to you with this project:
o Minimize economic impact in Glenwood
o Accommodation of bicyclists and pedestrians
o Minimize impact to private right-of-way
o Minimize noise/traffic along alternate routes being considered
o Minimize impact to cultural resources
o Minimize impact to existing viewsheds
o Other (please describe)_______________________________________________________
Please describe advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives presented:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________