Under the guidance of the 416th Engineering Operations Center, the road was built in four phases as the engineer units rotated through in sequence. An estimated 850,000 cubic yards of earth were moved by more than 650 engineer troops. The road mission included upgrade of existing sections and construction of a new section rising through the mountains to the Otero Mesa. Construction involved the installation of 11 low-water crossings and three culverts. Throughout the construction process, water was the most critical commodity.
Water is critical for compaction.
Water distributors were averaging two hours for their round trip from the water source at McGregor Range. The engineer task force also supported Roving Sands 97 with several vertical construction missions. The missions included plumbing, carpentry and electrical work for some 25 projects at Logan Heights and Biggs Army Airfield. The project, financed by Forces Command as a training mission, took well over 40,000 man hours. The project was built with minimal time-lost incidences as conscientious soldiers kept safety in mind at all time.