Photo Credit: Colorado Geographic Naming Board
State Avenue construction
begins in March
Construction on State Avenue in Alamosa will begin as early as March 1 and will be the biggest project the city of Alamosa has ever undertaken in a single year, Public Works Director Harry Reynolds told the City Council on Wednesday.
State Avenue is the next major artery in Alamosa to receive a complete makeover as part of the Alamosa Streets Trust Fund, a dedicated half-cent sales tax adopted in 2019 by voters to improve city streets.
The work will include utility replacement, new curb and gutter, and new sidewalks, said Reynolds.
State Avenue will present some particular traffic challenges as one of Alamosa’s busiest thoroughfares, including in-city traffic to Alamosa Regional Airport and the south side of the city’s residential neighborhoods.
Reynolds said the first phase of the State Avenue street improvement project will go from State Avenue and Sixth Street through Eighth Street. The city hopes to complete the first phase around May and then push ahead through the remainder of the year south down State Avenue.
St. Benedict homeless camp
back in spotlight
Alamosa city council members on Wednesday took up the emotional issue of St. Benedict’s camp, which the city established as part of its COVID-19 strategies to house the homeless. The arrival of cold weather pushed the city into discussions on how much electricity to provide and what types of heating sources would be allowed.
“How do we meet some of those basic needs without shifting too far to more than we intended?” City Manager Heather Brooks said.
St. Benedict’s provides temporary camping for the homeless through tents or huts set up at the camp. Brooks said a total of 15 huts are being added to the camp. She called them “glorified tents,” with more structure than a tent but not intended to be permanent housing.
After discussion and city council comments, the city council directed Brooks to work with La Puente and others on how to address the need for heat and electricity at the camp.
Cumbres and Toltec issues
RFP for kitchen services
The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Osier Kitchen services. The request is for kitchen services in a cafeteria-type setting. The food should be prepared on-site and consist of two main courses, with sides and soup and salad bar. The offeror will provide food and beverages. The Railroad will prove the facility and equipment. Osier is located about 50 miles northeast of Chama, New Mexico, and 25 miles southwest of Antonito, Colorado. The offeror should be able to serve from 250 to 500 meals per day. The offeror should provide adequate staff to cook and serve meals. The offeror must meet all Colorado laws for Food Service, as well as comply with all Colorado employment laws.
The RFP in its entirety can be viewed online at: commission.ctsrr.com or by requesting a copy in writing to Tomas Campos, CTSRR, PO Box 1057, Chama, NM 87520, or by emailing osierrfp@cumbrestoltec.com. Deadline to respond is Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 5:00 pm MST.
CDOT to replace culvert
on US 285 north of Monte Vista
RIO GRANDE COUNTY ― The Colorado Department of Transportation will repair an aged culvert on US Highway 285 just north of Monte Vista. The exact location of the US 285 project is at MP 52.4 approximately one mile north of the US 160 and US 285 intersection. The old culvert will be replaced with an improved 24-inch pipe. The work will begin Monday, Jan. 24, and continue through Friday, Feb 4.
Traffic Impacts: Two lanes of traffic (northbound and southbound) will be maintained throughout the duration of the project; however motorists will encounter lane shifts. There will be a speed reduction of 40 MPH through the work zone. Please slow down, watch for workers, be aware of heavy equipment, and use extreme caution in the area. CDOT encourages wide loads to find an alternate route.
