Road Warrior: Paseo and Unser expansion project to begin in January

Northwest Albuquerque commuters beware: In January, the city of Albuquerque will begin work on the biggest road project in its history.

Department of Municipal Development spokesperson Dan Mayfield said in a news release that work is expected to start on Jan. 12 (weather permitting) and take three years to complete.

The $62 million project 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, work will start on Unser and go from Paradise to just beyond Paseo del Norte, which will be widened from Calle Norteña west to about just past Unser. Future phases will include widening both streets, including Paseo west to Rainbow and Unser south to Rainbow, Mayfield said.

“DMD’s mission is to make roads better, safer and more efficient for all of us,” Department of Municipal Development Director Jennifer Turner said in a statement “This is a major undertaking and we’re looking forward to improving Unser and Paseo del Norte.”

For more information, Mayfield said people can visit upgradeunserpaseo.com.

U.S. 60 BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS: The New Mexico Department of Transportation will be replacing two 1950s-era bridges on U.S. 60 in Torrance County.

The bridges are between mileposts 193.7 and 194.7 and 197.01 and 197.76, respectively.

Along with replacing the bridges, work will include expanding the shoulders from 2 feet to 8 feet, adding concrete barrier railings and upgrading striping and signage, said Jennifer Mullins, a spokesperson with NMDOT.

Nearby descansos will be protected during the project, she said.

The final design is expected to be finished in early 2026 then NMDOT will go out to bid. Hopefully, work will begin in the summer, Mullins said.

U.S. 180 EXPANSION: The first phase of the U.S. 180 improvement project was recently completed.

The $41 million project expanded the highway from two to four lanes between Bayard and Hurley, removed the Hurley overpass, realigned the roadway over the existing railroad tracks and added a crossing at Pit Access Road. Additional improvements include pavement rehabilitation, lighting, widened shoulders and upgraded intersections between mileposts 123 and 128, according to NMDOT.

“This project represents a major step forward for safety and mobility in southwest New Mexico,” NMDOT District 1 Engineer Aaron Chavarria said in a news release. “By expanding U.S. 180, we’re improving access for residents, supporting local commerce and laying the groundwork for future economic growth across the region.”

The expansion was funded using a $29 million contribution from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The remaining $12 million was funded through a combination of other federal sources and state road fund matching contributions. The improvements were completed six months ahead of schedule, according to NMDOT.

The remaining phases to complete the U.S. 180 expansion from Bayard to Deming are being designed.

‘A HAZARD’: Reader Adelaida Sanchez said the pavement on Coors Bypass and 7 Bar Loop NW has deteriorated.

“It is a hazard to navigate,” Sanchez said.