At two lanes, this $3.3-million, 8-mi roadway improvement serves residents and visitors of the Taos area. Prior to being paved, the roadway was inundated with melting snows and monsoon rains that could strand travelers. The improved road was engineered to use the established grade as well as to salvage roadbed gravels as part of the pavement structure. Because it was designed to fit the existing right of way, the team saved the county approximately $500,000.