Road Warrior: Work on Downtown ABQ Rail Trail walk, bike ramp commences; Rio Bravo/Second intersection to close

Happy Monday.

I hope Father’s Day was relaxing and fun.

Unfortunately, fun is not what Albuquerque residents and visitors will experience on some city streets in the coming days and months.

Starting on Monday, construction of the Downtown Central Avenue bridge crossing is scheduled to begin. This includes the creation of a pedestrian and bike ramp that is part of the city’s new Rail Trail, a 7-mile walking and biking trail that will connect Downtown, Old Town, the Sawmill District, the Rail Yards and the bosque.

Work is slated to be finished in 10 months, according to the city.

As a result of the construction, City Transit Department spokesperson Madeline Skrak said in a news release:

• Drivers cannot go south onto First Street from either direction on Central.
• The southeast corner of Central and First will be closed to pedestrians.
• The Albuquerque Rapid Transit platform will still be accessed on First between Central and Gold Avenue.
• The Alvarado Transportation Center can be accessed by entering on First and Gold.

“Whenever there is construction, it’s a great opportunity for people to consider how public transportation might be even faster in some cases than using a single occupancy vehicle,” Transit Deputy Director Michael Davis said in a statement. “Routes will still be able to take you where you need to go, so we challenge you to try buses or other non-car transportation during construction.”

For more information, go to the ABQ RIDE website or call 243-RIDE, Skrak said.

RIO BRAVO AND SECOND STREET CLOSURE: Bernalillo County is reminding people that the Rio Bravo Boulevard and Second Street intersection will be shutdown from Wednesday to Sunday.

“During the closure, the existing crossing will be replaced with a newly constructed, widened crossing designed to accommodate the expanded six-lane road,” Bernalillo County spokesperson Melissa Smith said in a news release. “Due to the nature of the work, construction will proceed continuously, 24 hours a day, throughout the closure.”

The goal of the project is to enhance traffic flow and safety by adding an additional lane in each direction on Rio Bravo from Barr Canal to east of Second Street, as well as upgrade associated railroad infrastructure, Smith said.

The new railroad crossing will feature “quiet zone” enhancements, including new quad gates that are designed to prevent traffic from entering or exiting the crossing area when a train is approaching, she said. The project complements the recently expanded Rio Bravo from Second to Prince streets to six lanes.

“Upon completion, the project will support smoother, more efficient travel for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians throughout the corridor,” Smith said.

A detour will direct traffic from Second Street to Woodward Road, she said.

Along with the intersection closure, the railroad will be closed from 5 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday between the Alvarado Transportation Center and the Belen Rail Runner Station. Rio Metro will provide buses that will make all regularly scheduled stops at the five Rail Runner stations from Downtown to Belen, she said.

Additionally, Amtrak will provide buses for passengers aboard its Southwest Chief eastbound Train 4 and westbound Train 3 between Gallup and Albuquerque on Saturday, Smith said, and BNSF will not operate any freight south of Albuquerque and north of Belen. For more information, go to the Rio Metro website or call 505-245-7245.