NEWS
Blasting to start Tuesday on $62M Paseo and Unser road project
Crews to begin clearing rock for expansion, according to the city
Published
Boom!
That is the sound people in the Paseo del Norte and Unser Boulevard area can expect to hear Tuesday afternoon.
The city of Albuquerque on Monday announced blasting will begin so crews can clear rock as part of a $62 million road expansion project.
The blasting is expected to last for several weeks and take place 鈥渁pproximately once per day鈥� in the afternoon.
The timing of the blasts might vary depending on the weather, safety requirements and site conditions, city Department of Municipal Development spokesperson Dan Mayfield said in a news release.
鈥淒rivers are urged to watch for signage and follow directions from on-site crews,鈥� he said.
Work crews will be try to be as least disruptive as possible, DMD Director Jennifer Turner said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e committed to updating neighbors on the progress of the project and how it may impact them,鈥� she said.鈥淥ur focus is on moving construction forward safely while keeping road closures as short as possible.鈥�
In January, crews began relocating utilities, installing traffic barriers and moving earth to prepare the corridor for the project. It will consist of widening roads to four lanes, installing new medians and lighting, adding 10-foot multiuse trails and 6-foot bicycle lanes with buffers and improving the intersection and storm systems, according to the city.
In the first phase of the project, work will start on Unser and go from Paradise to just beyond Paseo del Norte, which will be widened from Calle Norte帽a west to just past Unser.
Future phases will include widening both streets, including Paseo west to Rainbow and Unser south to Rainbow, according to the city.
Star Paving Company of Albuquerque hired Dykon Blasting Corp. to do the blasting. Dykon is licensed to use explosives and has experience with similar projects in New Mexico, Mayfield said.
鈥淲hile construction will bring temporary disruptions, the completed project is expected to improve travel times, enhance safety and strengthen connections across one of the city鈥檚 fastest-growing areas,鈥� he said.
Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.
