UPDATE 10/5/2026: The NSF Very Large Array Open House planned for Saturday, October 10, 2026, was canceled due to road damage from recent flooding.

Although the New Mexico Department of Transportation has now reopened the US-60 bridge to passenger vehicles, due to logistics, the VLA Open House will remain canceled.

The VLA Visitor Center remains open during regular hours, and free public tours are still available on Saturdays and Sundays.

The U.S. National Science Foundation Very Large Array (NSF VLA) Open House planned for Saturday, October 10, 2026, is cancelled due to road damage from recent flooding and the subsequent closure of St. Rt. 60.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation has issued travel guidance for detours to St. Rt. 60. 

In lieu of the in-person Open House, the planned talks will be livestreamed with Q&A on NRAO’s YouTube Channel and Facebook Page starting at 10 AM MDT.

• 10 AM MDT - Ylva Pihlstrom, Deputy Assistant Director, New Mexico Operations – “Radio Astronomy in New Mexico”

• 11 AM MDT - Jill Malusky, News Manager – “NRAO Telescopes On Screen”

• 12 PM MDT - Rob Selina, Project Engineer for ngVLA – "The next generation Very Large Array"

The VLA Visitor Center remains open during regular hours, and free public tours are still available on Saturdays and Sundays for those coming to the NSF VLA from the West and alternate routes. 

While the NSF VLA cannot be accessed by State Route 60 coming from the East, New Mexico Roads and the Socorro County Office of Emergency Management have issued travel guidance for alternate routes. Drivers are advised to use caution as roads may be difficult to drive and 4WD vehicles are recommended.

The next VLA Open House is planned for April 24, 2027.