The NM 14 project involves the reconstruction of a 10 mile stretch of National Scenic Byway between Madrid and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Working with the consulting engineering firm, New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department, and the Citizen Advisory Committee, Sites Southwest served as the landscape and aesthetics consultant for the project. Given the rural character and scenic nature of the project, special treatments for landscaping, preservation, restoration, sustainable design and appropriate aesthetics were developed. Prior to construction the team walked the entire corridor marking special features such as trees and rock outcroppings to be preserved either by adjustments to the road alignment or by transplanting. Citizen involvement was also unique for this project in that a major portion of the design effort evolved around citizen concerns and ideas.
