The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) announced the start of work to replace the east- and west-bound bridges on New Mexico 500 (Rio Bravo Boulevard) spanning the Rio Grande in Albuquerque within Bernalillo County.
The $117.46 million project, which is in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is located on NM 500 between New Mexico 314 (Isleta Boulevard SW) and New Mexico 303 (Second Street SW) and includes the two bridges crossing the Rio Grande and two bridges crossing the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) Albuquerque Riverside Drain.
A contractor wasn't named. Construction is expected to last into 2030.
Rio Bravo Boulevard is a critical east-west route in Albuquerque's South Valley and is one of seven Rio Grande crossings in the Albuquerque metro area.
The purpose and need of the project is to address structural deficiencies while also reducing congestion and improving multi-modal transportation system connectivity within the project limits.
The needs are based on the fact that the eastbound river bridge is in poor condition and requires replacement, pedestrian and bicycle facilities are discontinuous in the project limits and it has been determined that additional river crossing capacity is needed in the metro area.
The civil construction project will include roadway widening and new pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Improvements will also include new sidewalks, trails and additional street lighting along the corridor. â£
