Highway project closes major overpass

A long-planned project to improve U.S. Routes 60/84 where they pass through Clovis is underway, surprising some area motorists as to what the project actually means in terms of getting around town.

Area residents apparently weren’t expecting the closure of the Prince Street overpass as evidenced by comments on social media.

Candace Barela, public relations spokesperson with the New Mexico Department of Transportation District 2 office in Roswell said the overpass closed March 11 and “will be closed for 90 days, weather permitting.”

Detour options are the Norris Street railroad crossing, which is subject to train traffic, and the Hull Street overpass on the west end of Clovis.

While not involved with the state project, Clovis City Public Works Director Clint Bunch did offer a driving tip for north-south traffic over the BNSF railyard while the Prince overpass is closed.

“The best way is to use the Hull Street overpass,” Bunch said.

For the time being the SR467 overpass between Clovis and Cannon AFB is also an option for a detour. But that stretch of highway will soon be closed.

“There will also be a phase in the project when contractor K. Barnett & Sons will be reconstructing the intersection of US 60/84 and State Route 467,” Barela wrote in an email.

Construction will consist of roadway reconstruction, new lighting and signalization.

“Phase 1 is scheduled for April 15th through July 19th. During Phase 1, SR 467 will be closed to through traffic from West Brady St. to US 60/84 and US 60/84 will be shifted to a two-lane highway from milepost 384 to milepost 385,” Barela wrote.

Barela added motorists are asked to follow detour routes and roadwork traffic signs as access to and along U.S. 60/84, SR 467, and Curry Road N will change over the course of construction.