The City of Carlsbad met with the New Mexico Department of Transportation and BNSF Railway on Friday to develop an alternative traffic plan for the Bataan Memorial Bridge, Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway announced. 

Westbound lanes on the bridge were closed on Aug. 8 after NMDOT officials observed deterioration to the north side of the bridge. The south side of the bridge, which is actually an independent twin of the northern, remains open for eastbound traffic. Westbound traffic is currently being diverted to N.M. 200, which has caused severe delays and congestion.   

On Friday, officials discussed a plan to allow one lane of eastbound traffic and one lane of westbound traffic on the south bridge while repairs are made to the northern bridge.  This would involve modifying the signalization for the BNSF rail crossing immediately to the west of the bridge. Large commercial trucks would still utilize the N.M. 200 route. 

“We had a very positive meeting with BNSF and the NMDOT,” Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway said. “Everyone seemed to understand that the present situation is not acceptable for what could be for several months while repairs to the northern bridge are made.”

The City of Carlsbad will continue to provide updates on this process as they becomes available. 

City of Carlsbad