South Valley reconstruction project 80% complete, but nearly a year behind schedule

Bernalillo County commissioners were briefed Tuesday on the reconstruction of Bridge Boulevard, including what’s caused delays.

County Technical Services Director Brian Lopez said the project is “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’s delays.

“That’s 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’s how they get out,” Quezada said.

Lopez said the delays were due to unmarked utility lines and a “lack of production and communication” with the New Mexico Gas Co., blaming the company for 269 days of the delay.

“We are aware of the comments made at (Tuesday’s) Bernalillo County Commission meeting,” Tim Korte, a spokesperson for New Mexico Gas Co. said in a statement to the Journal. “We fundamentally disagree with the assertions that New Mexico Gas Company is responsible for much of the Bridge Boulevard construction delays.”

The statement said factors, “including safety and environmental concerns,” were outside of the gas company’s control and that it communicated with the county on these issues.

“As we have discussed with the County, NMGC cannot compromise the safety of its personnel, contractors, the public, or the environment simply to avoid delays,” 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’t happen anywhere in any other part of the county.

He also expressed concern about the county’s ability to hold the gas company accountable after it was announced in August it would be sold to Louisiana-based private equity management firm Bernhard Capital Partners.

“Just 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’s super-important,” Quezada said. “I 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.”