Money to Spare After Work on Isleta

WORK AT BRIDGE/ISLETA WRAPPING UP: Crews are putting the final touches on this $1.05 million project, according to Bernalillo County.

The work, which focused on “realignment of the existing intersection, new traffic signal, curb and gutter and sidewalk,” also includes “significant improvements to the South Valley Gateway park located at the southeast corner of the intersection.”

Started back in February and piggy-backed onto “a telecommunication contractor being in Bridge Boulevard to install a new fiber optics cable for Century Link,” the project has come in “a little under budget,” according to project engineer Joe Luehring. “So we will be requesting (contractor) TLC to perform a little additional sidewalk and wheelchair ramp repairs along the north side of Bridge Boulevard within the intersection that was not originally included in the project design.”

Work within the intersection has been complete for a few weeks, Luehring says, “with the exception of getting PNM to transfer power to the new service riser and electrical meter.”

And “work on the South Valley Gateway Park is now mostly complete, except for the playground equipment, which is being installed now. Separate final inspections for both projects are expected late (this) week.”

AND ON THE ALAMEDA TRAIL AS WELL: Crews are in the last month of work on the new and improved Alameda multi-use trail.

Bernalillo County Public Works project engineer Frank Williams says “the final completion date was extended one month due to bridge fencing delivery delays and additional work added by the county for a retaining wall and pedestrian railing.”

The $1.5 million project, from just east of Edith to Fourth, replaces the 4-to-6-foot-wide trail that had various surfaces with a 12-foot-wide asphalt trial. It also adds a bridge over Edith.

“Construction of the trail project along the south side of Alameda Boulevard between Fourth Street and Edith Boulevard is expected to be completed by mid August 2012,” Williams says. “The segment of trail between Second and Fourth Streets is completed and open for public use.”

Assistant editorial page editor D’Val Westphal tackles commuter issues for the Metro area on Mondays and West Siders and Rio Ranchoans on Thursdays. Reach her at 823-3858; road@abqjournal.com; P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103; or go to ABQjournal.com/traffic to read previous columns and join in the conversation.