Completion of Barelas Pedestrian Bridge
Albuquerque, NM
August 8, 2014
A Celebration
In a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, August 9, City Councilor Isaac Benton and the Barelas community will celebrate the completion of a long-awaited pedestrian bridge to connect the neighborhood to the Bosque. Residents identified this project as a priority through a planning process several years ago. Councilor Benton committed district set-aside money and also secured City G.O. Bond and federal grant funds to get the project designed and built.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held Saturday, August 9 at 11:00 am.
"Better and Easier Access"
“The residents of Barelas wanted better and easier access across the ditch and Tingley Drive to the Bosque,” said Benton. “What seems like a simple project involved several jurisdictions and a lot of coordination.”
The project includes:
- a bridge across the Albuquerque Riverside Drain
- an accessible ramp up the bank to Tingley Drive
- and a new pedestrian crossing with a median refuge on Tingley, and lighting.
It is located near the intersection of 12th Street and Santa Fe Avenue.
Invaluable Coordination
Several City departments, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD), and the Army Corps of Engineers were all part of making the vision a reality. Benton says this effort was a great example of how multiple departments and agencies can work together for the benefit of the community.
“This gives us access to the Bosque that we have not had and allows people from our community to enjoy the Bosque and Tingley Beach. We appreciate everyone who helped make this happen,” said neighborhood resident Ron Romero.
View the Official Press Release