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SANTA FE, N.M., Sept. 18, 2026—Santa Fe County completed upgrades to the Avenida Vista Grande bridge going over the Cañada de Los Alamos waterway located near the intersection of Avenida Vista Grande and U.S. 285.  

"The Vista Grande bridge is at the second entrance to Eldorado and is the main entrance that many people use. We are glad the repairs were completed ahead of schedule and will make that entrance safe for many years to come. Thanks to our local legislators for providing State funding for this project," said Commissioner, District 5, Hank Hughes, who represents the area.

An inspection revealed the need for major rehabilitation on the five-barrel concrete box culvert that was designed to allow water to flow under the road. The upgrades improve drainage at the culvert outlet and will extend the service life of the existing bridge. New guardrails make it safer for motorists traveling through the area.  

At the outlet of the culvert, crews installed a 25-foot-long concrete apron with gabion baskets—sturdy mesh baskets filled with rocks that allow water to flow through the area with less impact to surrounding soils. These improvements will help slow and dissipate water as it exits the culvert during major rain events, reducing the potential for erosion and improving the overall stability of the outlet. Crews replaced the guardrails along the roadway in the vicinity of the bridge to improve overall driving safety for motorists traveling through the area. 

Other repairs included removing and replacing damaged concrete, replacing reinforcement bars, repairing cracks in the concrete, and sealing exposed concrete surfaces. Crews repaired pavement along the shoulders of the road, replaced guardrails and added pavement markings and signage. 

Construction began June 1 and was completed September 4, about six weeks ahead of schedule, and was carried out by Hasse Contracting Company, Inc. The project cost was $1,047,528.50, with $339,917.80 from a New Mexico Department of Transportation grant, $120,928 from capital outlay general revenue tax, $60,000 from state special appropriation, and $679,072 from general obligation bonds—$460,000 of which will be paid back through a granted request for capital outlay funds. 

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