Upgrades will increase resiliency to flooding and provide more reliable public access
GLENWOOD, NM, November 6, 2023 – The Federal Highway Administration, in cooperation with New Mexico Department of Transportation and the Gila National Forest, is preparing to begin construction of improvements to New Mexico Highway 174, the road that provides public access to Catwalk National Recreation Trail. Construction is expected to begin the week of November 17, 2023, continuing through July 2024. Traffic will be limited to one lane, with possible delays of up to 30 minutes.
“We have been waiting a long time for this project to come to fruition,” said Glenwood District Ranger Brian Stultz. “The upgraded low water crossings, improved drainage, and resurfacing are needed to improve resilience of the roadway to flooding, and to provide more reliable public access to the Catwalk Trail.”
Construction activities include repaving from milepost 0.75 to the Catwalk parking area with minor widening in some segments; replacement of the concrete low water crossing and elevation of the road grade just before the Catwalk parking area, enhancement of side drainage crossings with concrete pavement and hardening with riprap; and replacement and upgrade of drainage structures to accommodate post-wildfire runoff conditions.
During construction, the road will remain open with one lane and traffic delays of up to 30 minutes. No construction will occur on holidays or holiday weekends. Signage has been posted on US Highway 180 to notify drivers of potential delays on NM Highway 174, the Catwalk Access Road. For more information contact catwalkproject@dot.gov . Project updates and photos will be posted every couple of weeks or as conditions change at https://highways.dot.gov/design-visualization/projects/nm/catwalk-access-road . Design plans are available at https://sam.gov/opp/a098f2baef8d4b869da0b4395e5b0df1/view.
For information about Catwalk Recreation Area visit Gila National Forest - Catwalk Recreation Area (usda.gov) or contact Maribeth Pecotte at Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov or 575-388-8211.