NM 532 Curve Correction Project - New Mexico Department of ...

NM 532 Curve Correction Project Environmental Assessment
2.0 PURPOSE AND NEED, HISTORY, AND EXISTING CONDITIONS
2.1 Project Purpose and Need
The purpose of the NM 532 Curve Correction Project is to improve traffic and safety conditions between
MP 0.0 and MP 12.0 while considering the needs of local residents, forest visitors, and the Mescalero
Apache Tribe. The project need is based on the following conditions:
• Insufficient shoulder width; roadway geometry does not meet current standards resulting in
several sharp curves;
• Post-fire soil erosion undercuts the roadway;
• Steep drop-offs next to driving lanes;
• Limited signage to inform drivers of roadway conditions;
• Lack of pull-off areas;
• Poor pedestrian access at scenic areas;
• Extensive maintenance needs; and
• Economic viability of recreation-related businesses.
2.2 Project History
Initially NM 532 was established as an unpaved road to provide access to Ski Apache, which opened in
1961. The road was later paved in 1965 (Kidder and Brunell, 2009). During the next 40 years, the road
was maintained, but no major improvements were constructed until 2008 when NMDOT constructed
roadway and slope improvements in selected sections that were failing. In 2006, NMDOT initiated a
corridor study to inventory existing conditions and development alternatives for improving access
between the NM 48 intersection at MP 0.0 and Ski Apache at MP 12.0. NMDOT contracted with Smith
Engineering Company (Smith) to prepare the corridor study. To obtain public input on the NM 532
Curve Correction Project, NMDOT and Smith held a series of public meetings in Ruidoso during the fall
2006 to identify and rank issues of concern. Local stakeholders including local residents, skiers, local
businesses, Mescalero Apache Tribe, and Lincoln National Forest attended the meetings. The top four
issues as ranked by stakeholders were:
• Safety – risk of serious injury or death;
• Safety – emergency medical services (EMS) response time to Ski Apache;
• Local economy – increasing business at Ski Apache; and
• Local economy – revenues of local businesses.
The NM 532 Corridor Study recommended constructing a gondola between Eagle Lakes and Ski Apache
and improving the existing NM 532 alignment as two viable alternatives. The Mescalero Apache Tribe
subsequently received funding from the NMDOT to further develop these alternatives for moving the
project forward. The Mescalero Apache Tribe intends to eventually identify a funding source and
develop plans for constructing a gondola. Since gondola funding is not likely to be obtained in the next
1-3 years, a decision was made to focus on improving NM 532 between MP 0.0 and MP 12.0 since such
improvements would have a lower cost and have a higher probability of obtaining funding. In 2009 and
2010, preliminary plans were prepared, and initial environmental studies were conducted for Texas Turn,
Axle Bend Curve, and No Last Curve. In 2012, the plans and environmental studies were updated and are
presented in this EA as the NM 532 Curve Correction Project. The Little Bear Fire burned many areas
along the project area during the summer of 2012 (see Figure 2.1).
2.3 Traffic Conditions
NM 532 is an undivided two-lane roadway that extends from the NM 48 intersection in Alto to Ski
Apache. The roadway section covered in this EA document extends from the NM 48 intersection at MP
0.0 to Ski Apache at MP 12.0.
March 2013 4 CN 2101140