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South Valley reconstruction project 80% complete, but nearly a year behind schedule
Construction continues on Bridge Boulevard last week.
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Bernalillo County commissioners were briefed Tuesday on the reconstruction of Bridge Boulevard, including what鈥檚 caused delays.
County Director Brian Lopez said the project is 鈥�80% complete and projected to be completed in January, nearly 11 months, or 323 calendar days, after the initial projected completion date. Construction began in May 2023.
Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada, who represents the area, requested the update due to the project鈥檚 delays.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 a main artery for people to come out of the South Valley, to cross the bridge, to get to the other side, get to Downtown areas. That鈥檚 how they get out,鈥� Quezada said.
Lopez said the delays were due to unmarked utility lines and a 鈥渓ack of production and communication鈥� with the New Mexico Gas Co., blaming the company for 269 days of the delay.
鈥淲e are aware of the comments made at (Tuesday鈥檚) Bernalillo County Commission meeting,鈥� Tim Korte, a spokesperson for New Mexico Gas Co. said in a statement to the Journal. 鈥淲e fundamentally disagree with the assertions that New Mexico Gas Company is responsible for much of the Bridge Boulevard construction delays.鈥�
The statement said factors, 鈥渋ncluding safety and environmental concerns,鈥� were outside of the gas company鈥檚 control and that it communicated with the county on these issues.
鈥淎s we have discussed with the County, NMGC cannot compromise the safety of its personnel, contractors, the public, or the environment simply to avoid delays,鈥� Korte said.
Like the timeline, the cost of the project has increased, from $26 million to $45.5 million.
Quezada ripped New Mexico Gas Co. for holding up the project and said it wouldn鈥檛 happen anywhere in any other part of the county.
He also expressed concern about the county鈥檚 ability to hold the gas company accountable after it was announced in August it to Louisiana-based private equity management firm Bernhard Capital Partners.
鈥淛ust think about the response we got now and what the response could be later, is my concern for the next commissioner, for public works to be able to complete a job that鈥檚 super-important,鈥� Quezada said. 鈥淚 want to thank the community for being as patient as they are. But I also agree with the ones who are super, super pissed off, because I am.鈥�
