The New Mexico Department of Transportation has launched what it said is its largest construction project in recent history and the road work could begin affecting Albuquerque drivers today.
Crews will start by shifting travel lanes of Interstate 25 between Comanche Road and Montgomery Boulevard toward the median to begin work on the outside lanes. There will still be three travel lanes open in each direction.
The freeway will mostly remain open as workers will start by directing traffic to inside lanes as they work on reconstructing the outside lanes. However, there will be some nighttime closures for bridge replacement. Detours will be posted.
Toward the end of the month, the westbound Montgomery Boulevard loop ramp to southbound I-25 will permanently close, according to NMDOT.
The construction project is expected to last through spring 2027.
State officials say when completed, the $268 million project will increase safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, replace aging bridges and pavement and lead to improved travel times through the area.
According to an NMDOT news release, the project will include concurrent design and construction, allowing for use of the most current and innovative techniques and materials and the fastest and most cost-effective completion of the job.
That stretch of I-25 serves about 102,000 vehicles a day.
Find more information about the project and sign up for text alerts and email updates here.
The NMDOT’s claim that it will speed up traffic is difficult to believe when they are permanently closing the time-saving westbound I-25 access loop permanently. It is obvious that I-25 bound vehicles will now have to wait for a green arrow at the left bound traffic light and commuters will clearly experience backups which have been eliviated safely with the loop entrance for decades. It makes no sense and NMDOT needs to explain why the are fixing something that isn’t broken.