NMDOT schedules second meeting on El Rito bridge replacement project

NMDOT held a second public meeting on the NM 554 El Rito Bridge Replacement Project on June 25, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Alumni Hall at El Rito Northern New Mexico Community College. The state transportation department identified the project as CN 5101287 and used the session to update residents on the need for a new bridge, the proposed design, cultural and natural resource considerations, and a question-and-answer period with the project team.

NM 554 is a key local route between El Rito and Ojo Caliente, La Madera, Carson, Taos and U.S. 285. It also serves Los Alamos County residents who use those roads for work, recreation and family trips. El Rito itself is a small community of about 1,000 people, and the bridge sits in a corridor shaped by grasslands, agricultural fields, acequias and riparian habitat.

The June 25 meeting followed an earlier in-person session on Oct. 2, 2025, at the El Rito Public Library, where NMDOT also held a presentation and public Q&A. Bridge-inspection data shows the existing span over El Rito Creek was built in 1957, is classified as structurally deficient and in poor condition, and carries a structural evaluation rating of 2, indicating a high priority for replacement. The same data puts average daily traffic at 1,089 vehicles in 2021, with 16% truck traffic, and projects that number to rise to 1,481 by 2041.

A construction listing identified work along NM 554 at mileposts 12.3 to 12.6 and gave an anticipated construction year of 2026, while the project is roughly $5 million with a spring 2027 start. Comments can be submitted by mail, email or an online form, and the project team will review all comments.