Highway 70 Closures Friday Recall Long History of Range Operations

Motorists traveling between Las Cruces and Alamogordo should expect delays Friday morning as Range Control at White Sands Missile Range has announced scheduled blocks on U.S. Highway 70.

Closure Details

• First block: Begins at 6:40 a.m., lasting about one hour. Traffic expected to resume around 7:40 a.m.

• Second block: Begins at 8:00 a.m., lasting about one hour. Traffic expected to reopen near 9:00 a.m.

The closures will affect two key points:

• RED Block — Top of San Augustin Pass, near Mile Marker 164

• YELLOW Block — White Sands National Park, near Mile Marker 200

Additional access points impacted include the Las Cruces Gate, Owen Road, and Nike Avenue.

Range Control emphasizes that all block times are subject to change without notice, with updates provided if schedules shift.

A Highway Shaped by History

Highway 70 is more than a commuter route — it is a road woven into the history of White Sands Missile Range. Since the 1940s, closures have been part of the rhythm of life in southern New Mexico, reflecting the region’s role in national defense and scientific innovation.

• 1946: The first V-2 rocket launch at White Sands brought closures as America entered the missile age.

• 1950s–60s: Cold War testing made Highway 70 blocks routine, with locals adjusting daily life around missile schedules.

• Apollo era: The range supported space program research, and closures reminded residents their highway was part of a global story.

• Modern day: Missile defense trials and advanced weapons testing continue from drones to hypersonic weapons, with closures still shaping commutes, tourism, and community routines.

For generations, residents have learned to adapt — planning school runs, work shifts, and even church services around Range Control advisories. Visitors to White Sands National Park often encounter closures, a reminder that the dunes sit beside one of the nation’s most active test ranges.

Community Impact Today

• Commuters: Expect delays during the morning rush between Alamogordo and Las Cruces.

• Commuter Buses : Bus routes crossing county lines may be disrupted.

• Tourism: Access to White Sands National Park could be restricted during closure windows.

Community Voices

“You learn to live with it. When the highway closes, it’s like the Basin takes a deep breath. We wait, we adjust, and then life flows again. It’s part of what makes this place unique — our daily commute tied to history being written just beyond the mountains.”

— David Hanson, Las Cruces

“Visitors are often surprised, but we remind them: the dunes share space with the missile range. It’s a reminder that this landscape has always been both natural wonder and proving ground.”

— Debra S , White Sands National Park

Contact Information

For the latest updates, travelers can reach Range Control directly:

• Commercial: (575) 678-2222

• DSN: 258-2222

More News from Alamogordo

• Public Safety & Community Engagement Update: Otero County Sheriff’s Office Active During Holiday Events Sheriff's department update
• NMSP Arrests Wanted Fugitive Jerome Naranjo Fugitive apprehended