Guadalupe Street Road Reconstruction

Project update Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Guadalupe Street Construction FAQs

Question: What is the project schedule? 

Answer: The project is in the final phase which involves excavating and reconstructing the new roadway. To minimize impacts on local businesses, the paving work has been divided into two-week segments, shown on the attached schedule. 

During excavation in this historic area of our ancient City, the project team has and may continue to uncover bones and failed infrastructure, which necessitates a temporary halt in construction activities. The team coordinates rapidly with utility companies, archeologists and historic staff to resolve these issues promptly and remain on track with the published schedule. Check the Orange Barrel Report for the latest update. 

Question: What is the background or history of this project? 

Answer: The City of Santa Fe recognized that the original design of Guadalupe Street—developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a four-lane, 65-foot-wide corridor built to highway standards—was focused on moving vehicle traffic through this corridor. 

However, the North Guadalupe district is important not just as a vehicle route, but as a vibrant local business district , much like the Plaza. The new street is designed with people as the priority, transforming the road from a thoroughfare into a destination. 

Read more about the genesis of this project: Guadalupe Street Construction page.

Question: Is this a city-led initiative, or is it funded by state or federal sources?

Answer: This project is led by the City, funded entirely with federal funds and being overseen by the state and federal agencies.

Question: Will compensation be provided to businesses affected by the construction? 

Answer: The City of Santa Fe is actively exploring ways to support local business owners that are legal and equitable. 

Question: Has the City taken safety considerations into account during the planning and implementation of this project? 

Answer: Safety for users of this corridor is the primary purpose of this project and safety is a daily priority during construction. Safety during construction is ensured through contractual requirements to adhere to regulations, oversight by City staff and inspections by federal and state inspectors. 

Question: What are benefits to businesses and the community of this project?

Answers:  

1. This project will create an inviting, vibrant small business corridor that both visitors and locals will frequent more than ever before. With beautiful landscaping and wide sidewalks, the district will be an inviting place to dine and shop.    

2. Studies show that walkable, bike-friendly, and slower streets boost business—especially in historic downtown areas. Additionally, compliance with mandated ADA requirements helps ensure that the area is highly accessible for all. 

3. Additionally, the city of Santa Fe Code requires property owners to keep sidewalks clear of obstructions and in good condition. The sidewalks in this area were in need of repair, and through this project, the city of Santa Fe is completing those improvements—so businesses are not burdened with the cost or responsibility. 

Question: What is the anticipated completion date for this project? 

Answer: Pavement work expected to compete according to schedule attached. For weekly updates on construction progress and detours, see the Orange Barrel Report. 

Question: Will local businesses be consulted or involved in the planning of future projects? 

Answers:  

1. Local businesses are always involved in the planning of roadway projects and have been engaged on this project for over 5 years. Yes, city of Santa Fe Code and federal and state funders require public engagement in roadway project development.   

2. The Office of Economic Development (OED) is planning to form a working group focused on Guadalupe Street. To help us understand how businesses would like to participate moving forward, please share your input by completing this survey. Thank you four feedback! 

Question: Why did this project take place?

Answer: Business owners raised concerns with their District Representative Councilors about high vehicle speeds and safety issues along North Guadalupe Street. In response, the City of Santa Fe, with support from the Santa Fe MPO and additional assistance from the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), commissioned an engineering study called a Road Safety Audit. 

The audit concluded that the old roadway design contributed to excessive speeds, and crashes and t and ultimately, the study deemed the corridor unsafe. Based on the audit's formal recommendations for reconstruction, the federal safety program funded redesign and reconstruction this stretch of Guadalupe Street. 

Question: How Unsafe was the Corridor Prior to Improvements? 

Answer: The Road Safety Audit analyzed corridor crash data prior to the 2014 study. Also, the Santa Fe MPO added intersection crash data from 2010 through 2023. (Data Source: UNM/NMDOT Traffic Records Section) 

• 340 crashes occurred at the analyzed intersections during this period. 
• The average annual crash rate for these intersections was 27.6. 
• 67 crashes (or 20%) resulted in injuries. 

Crash data serves as a predictive tool to identify locations where future crashes are likely to occur. Once a city knows where and how people are likely to be injured or killed in crashes, inaction becomes both a moral and legal concern. 

• Public trust: Residents expect safe streets in the same way they expect access to clean water. 

Before construction, the 85th percentile traffic speed was 30 MPH, despite a posted speed limit of 25 MPH. This means that 85 percent of vehicles were traveling at or below 30 MPH, while 15 percent were exceeding that speed. This data includes time spent stopped at intersections. Maintaining speeds at or below 25 MPH is essential to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all street users.

Project update Thursday, June 5, 2025

Roadwork continues to progress with crews installing cement median curbs and gutters, removing old asphalt, and preparing for paving.

A minor delay at Johnson Street and Guadalupe has not impacted progress in other areas. Once the Gas Company completes its work, paving will begin.

Thanks to a revised schedule, we now anticipate paving a larger section of the roadway, from San Francisco Street to Catron Street, and possibly extending to Paseo De Peralta, by the week ending June 21. This adjustment allows for a more efficient and expanded improvement of the corridor.

Guadalupe Street Construction Update: Gas Main Relocation Causes Two-Week Paving Delay

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

On Friday, May 30, 2025, a gas main was discovered only 6 inches under the existing asphalt at the intersection of Johnson and Guadalupe Streets. For public safety and to comply with the City Code, the gas main must be relocated to be 3 feet below the new pavement. New Mexico Gas Co. will expedite this unscheduled work, with a projected completion date of June 12. Paving is delayed until the relocation is complete and new segment schedules are attached. The project team will continue to move forward with other work on the project.
 

NEW PAVEMENT SUMMARY SCHEDULE:

• North San Francisco to Catron. New completion date: 6-21-2025

• North Catron to Paseo De Peralta 6-23-2025 – 7-11-2025

• South Paseo De Peralta to Catron 7-12-2025 – 7-26-2025

• North Catron to Johnson 7-26-2025 – 8-02-2025

• South Johnson to San Francisco 8-02-2025 – 8-09-2025

• South San Francisco to Alameda 8-09-2025 – 8-16-2025

For questions, please contact City Project Manager Kody Keelin at 505-231-4987 or kwkeelin@santafenm.gov.

May 30, 2025

As part of ongoing efforts to improve city infrastructure, an important update is available regarding the Guadalupe Street construction project and upcoming traffic changes.

Current Traffic Impacts
Guadalupe Street is presently closed to northbound traffic between West Alameda Street and Catron Street. In addition, several side streets, Johnson Street, McKenzie Street, and Jefferson Street, are closed where they intersect with Guadalupe. These streets remain accessible via Griffin Street.

What’s Changing?
Starting Monday, June 2, the northbound closure on Guadalupe Street will extend from West Alameda Street to Paseo De Peralta. This means northbound traffic will not be permitted along this stretch. However, Catron Street will remain open to both eastbound and westbound traffic.

Plan Ahead
Please follow all posted signs and detour routes. We recommend allowing additional time for travel through this area during construction. Sidewalks on both sides of the street will remain open for pedestrian traffic. 

Questions?
For more information about the project or traffic impacts, please contact:
Kody Keelin
City Project Manager
kwkeelin@santafenm.gov
505-231-4987

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to enhance Santa Fe’s roads and infrastructure. Thank you for helping keep our community moving safely.

Guadalupe Street Project Documents

Click here to download the Guadalupe Pavement Schedule.

Click here to download the Gudalupe Project History.

Click here to download the Guadalupe Street Reconstruction Project Update.

Click here to download the Road Safety Audit for Guadalupe St.

Click here to download the 5/13/25 public meeting slide deck.