ROAD WARRIOR
Road work on Rio Bravo and Second Street intersection completed
Next phase in South Valley project to include bridge reconstruction on Rio Bravo
Published
South Valley drivers may have noticed some changes at the Rio Bravo and Second NW intersection.
That鈥檚 because an improvements project that lasted over a year 鈥� that included adding traffic lanes 鈥� is just about complete.
Work began in January 2025 and it was designed to make the corridor safer, more efficient and accessible for people, Bernalillo County Deputy County Manager of Public Roads Elias Archuleta said during a news conference about the project on Thursday.
Among the improvements include a new lane in each direction that Archuleta said will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, as well as the construction of a new multiuse trail on the north side of Rio Bravo and the repaving of an existing trail on the south side.
RAKS Retail Manager Omar Rodriguez said adding the new trail is a good thing because it will encourage people to walk on the sidewalk or trail rather than through the business鈥� parking lot.
Along with adding new lanes and a trail, the railroad crossing at Rio Bravo and Second was reconstructed 鈥渢o accommodate the expanded roadway,鈥� Bernalillo County spokesperson Melissa Smith said.
The cost of the project was about $18.2 million. Of which, $13.44 million went to Star Paving for the road work while the remaining $4.76 million was given to Rio Metro for rail line work, she said.
A year ago, a similar project was done on Rio Bravo between Second and Prince SW.
The next project phase will consist of widening Rio Bravo across the Rio Grande, replacing Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District drains and canals and installing new sidewalks and multiuse trails.
Work is expected to start in late September and take about three years, said Kim Gallegos, New Mexico Department of Transportation District 3 spokesperson.
鈥淭his corridor is a major artery into the heart of the South Valley,鈥� Bernalillo County District 2 Commissioner Frank Baca said. 鈥淚t is so important to so many people who use this to commute to and from work every day, or to run their daily errands or take their kids to school.鈥�
REHAB PROJECT: Travelers in the Ojo Caliente area may experience traffic delays as a roadway rehabilitation project on N.M. 111 continues.
The project, which began on Aug. 4, spans from milepost 9 (a mile north of Ancones) to milepost 19.5 (Ca帽ada de Olguin) and is expected to take several days to complete.
鈥淭his structural pavement treatment involves removing the current asphalt layer and replacing it with new pavement to improve road conditions and extend roadway life,鈥� NMDOT District 5 spokesperson Jim Murray said in a news release.
During construction, which will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, one lane will be closed and a pilot car will guide motorists through the construction zone.
鈥淢otorists are strongly encouraged to wait for the pilot car to pass them in the direction they want to travel before attempting to enter the construction zone,鈥� Murray 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.
