08/10/2024
Maybe I read this wrong but it looks like the county is going to extend the county water line to TTurquoise Trail FireAND move the bulk water station also to the Fire Dept. My reason for posting this is my concern for safety on Highway 14. Bulk water trucks turning into and out of that road would create very dangerous conditions on an already crazy stretch of Highway 14. It also appears that the County Commisioners plan to approve this plan this Tuesday, August 13. Thoughts?
HWY 14 County Water Line Extension; for Relocated Bulk Water Station and Turquoise Trail Fire Dept.
· An exchange/agreement between Santa Fe County and Rancho Viejo Partnership (RVP) is in the works. **RVP is the same landowner for the proposed AES Solar/BESS facility.
· Santa Fe County and Rancho Viejo Partnership have been in the process of an agreement in which the county asked RVS to donate 5 acres of land (for relocation of a bulk water station) and in return RVS would be granted access to 5 water connections from this new county water line extension (which will run adjacent to more developable RVS land (right off Hwy 14).
· This extension of the county water line will only be ~2.3 miles further down Hwy 14, right at the Turquoise Trail Volunteer Fire Department. The water line currently ends at the Turquoise Trail Charter School.
· This extended water line will also provide Turquoise Trail Fire Department access to county water. In the event of a massive or prolonged fire, they would be less likely to run out of water to fight a fire. This fire department currently relies on well water.
· Of note, the relocated “residential only” bulk water station would be only ~ 4 miles away from the current location.
· According to the County’s design engineer, the estimated cost for this project is $2,762,944.00..!!! (so almost $3 million dollars, coming from all of us)
· The proposed location is on a stretch of HWY 14 which has been dealing with increased concerns of highway safety……About ½ mile down the road, a well trafficked intersection has had a number of accidents due to lack of traffic lights, traffic congestion, and speeding.
· With a new bulk water station, comes trucks and trailers hauling large water containers, trying to turn off and pull onto Hwy 14.
· The speed limit at this location is 55 mph, there is no turn lane, nor acceleration lane. There is only a turn lane on the opposite side of the road for the San Marcos Café and Feed Store. Otherwise, this is a 2 lane, heavily trafficked location and so it is assumed expansion of this part of the highway will be required, in order to accommodate all of this traffic.
· ***Please note, I am personally not able to determine if this is ultimately good or bad for all of us who live in this area, but I am certain we all need to be informed. Although a public meeting would be helpful, prior to moving forward with this, I am not aware of any planned at this time.
· THIS TUESDAY August 13, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners meeting includes a resolution authorizing the County Manager to execute the land donation agreement with Rancho Viejo Inc.
· If you wish to join, in order to listen or comment at this meeting, go to the Santa Fe County website and follow the links on the Calendar.
