San Juan County Awards Bid to Replace CR 5500 Bridge

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 1:36 PM

The replacement follows a 2017 structural analysis of the bridge over the San Juan River. The now 50-year-old bridge is not up to today’s standards and forced closure of one of the bridge’s two lanes.

From San Juan County:

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Work will soon begin to replace the Road 5500 bridge in Lee Acres with construction expected to last a year.
Tuesday, the San Juan County Commission voted to award a construction contract to Kiewit New Mexico, following a competitive bid process to secure a contractor. Bidding closed on March 16, 2021. The contract is worth $7,357,704. Construction will begin in May.
The replacement follows a 2017 structural analysis of the bridge over the San Juan River. The now 50-year-old bridge is not up to today’s standards and forced closure of one of the bridge’s two lanes.
Since 2017, San Juan County has pursued plans to replace the bridge and the funding for the project.
The replacement bridge is designed to modern bridge standards and prepare for the future. The design includes two vehicle lanes, shoulders, and protected pedestrian facilities. The project has been funded through various state and local sources. State legislators and the New Mexico Department of Transportation District 5 were instrumental in securing funding for the project.
Construction is slated to begin in May 2021 and finish within 12 months. Currently, plans include at least one lane remaining open to traffic during the majority of work. Electronic message boards will be displayed in the project area notifying residents and users of the construction start date and potential delays.

Editor's note: This bridge was reduced to one lane in March 2018. The project was re-designed and put out to bid again recently after previous bids came in over budget.

More from Local News

Study finds local rail line "feasible," Project moves Forward

In addition, the study finds that reducing truck traffic on major highways is a major benefit to rail, with reduced motor vehicle crashes and reduced wear and tear to roadways. The next phase of this project is already funded by a $4 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grant and $1 million match from the New Mexico Match Fund.
New Farmington Temple Prepares for Public Open House

The public is invited to tour the Farmington Temple from Thursday, July 17, through Saturday, August 2, 2025, excluding Sundays.
SJRMC & San Juan College agree to expand Nursing Program

Full-time nursing faculty members will receive a $10,000 annual stipend on top of their base salary to enhance the program’s capacity. In addition, students will have an opportunity to enter into an agreement with SJRMC to receive a substantial $4,800 living stipend per semester,
Man Arrested for Fruitland Murder

Following verbal arguments at the house of Adrian Begay (age 45), De Andre Julian (age 23) left with his girlfriend, Adrian Begay’s daughter, Adriana Begay (age 21) to a nearby residence. Adrian Begay followed them to the exterior of the residence when De Andre Julian produced a handgun and shot Adrian Begay multiple times in the chest at close range.
Feds Indict Shiprock Father & Son for Illegal Marijuana Farms in NM

The charges include conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana, manufacture of 1,000 kilograms and more of marijuana and 1,000 and more marijuana plants, possession with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms and more of marijuana and 1,000 and more marijuana plants, maintaining drug-involved premises, and two counts of knowingly discharging pollutants into waters of the United States without a permit.
2024 Election: San Juan County Contested Races

These are the unofficial election results from voting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 of the contested races in San Juan County, NM.