New Mexico State Road 501
Encyclopedia
New Mexico Route 501 is a very short state highway
in New Mexico
, United States of America. Its total length is only about 7 miles (11.3 km). New Mexico Route 501's southwestern terminus is at New Mexico State Road 4
west of Los Alamos
. It runs northeast into the town of Los Alamos, where it ends. It passes through the territory of Los Alamos National Laboratory
(LANL), which is closed to the public (the public may drive through on Route 501). Guard posts are at either end of the LANL section of the highway, and motorists passing into (but not out of) LANL territory must pause at the posts and be waved through. Under most conditions, no inspections, etc., are performed at the guard posts, but heightened security postures at LANL may lead to more intrusive checks.
New Mexico Route 501 is part of the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway
. Note that the cited reference erroneously describes this segment as highway 502, not 501, in conflict with reference 1. New Mexico State Road 502
is a related but distinct highway that runs east from Los Alamos to a junction with NM 4 and then to the town of Pojoaque
. NM 501 and NM 502 together were formerly known as "Business Route 4," as together they formed a business route
through Los Alamos, which was bypassed by NM 4.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, United States of America. Its total length is only about 7 miles (11.3 km). New Mexico Route 501's southwestern terminus is at New Mexico State Road 4
New Mexico State Road 4
New Mexico State Road 4 is a state highway in New Mexico, United States of America. It is significant as the main access route connecting the remote town of Los Alamos, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Bandelier National Monument to other, more major highways in New Mexico...
west of Los Alamos
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Los Alamos is a townsite and census-designated place in Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States, built upon four mesas of the Pajarito Plateau and the adjoining White Rock Canyon. The population of the CDP was 12,019 at the 2010 Census. The townsite or "the hill" is one part of town while...
. It runs northeast into the town of Los Alamos, where it ends. It passes through the territory of Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by Los Alamos National Security , located in Los Alamos, New Mexico...
(LANL), which is closed to the public (the public may drive through on Route 501). Guard posts are at either end of the LANL section of the highway, and motorists passing into (but not out of) LANL territory must pause at the posts and be waved through. Under most conditions, no inspections, etc., are performed at the guard posts, but heightened security postures at LANL may lead to more intrusive checks.
New Mexico Route 501 is part of the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway
National Scenic Byway
A National Scenic Byway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for its archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and/or scenic qualities. The program was established by Congress in 1991 to preserve and protect the nation's scenic but often...
. Note that the cited reference erroneously describes this segment as highway 502, not 501, in conflict with reference 1. New Mexico State Road 502
New Mexico State Road 502
New Mexico State Road 502 is a state highway in New Mexico, United States of America. It is notable as the main access route to Los Alamos National Laboratory , Bandelier National Monument, Valles Caldera National Preserve, Jemez Mountains, and town of Los Alamos.-Route description:New Mexico 502...
is a related but distinct highway that runs east from Los Alamos to a junction with NM 4 and then to the town of Pojoaque
Pojoaque, New Mexico
Pojoaque is a census-designated place in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States. It is part of the Santa Fe, New Mexico Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,261 at the 2000 census. Pojoaque and Pojoaque Pueblo are neighboring communities...
. NM 501 and NM 502 together were formerly known as "Business Route 4," as together they formed a business route
Business route
A business route in the United States and Canada is a short special route connected to a parent numbered highway at its beginning, then routed through the central business district of a nearby city or town, and finally reconnecting with the same parent numbered highway again at its...
through Los Alamos, which was bypassed by NM 4.