Historic Tracks Make Way for the Albuquerque Rail Trail
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Starting today, unused railroad tracks at Central Crossing will be removed to make way for a revamped crossing over the railroad tracks at Central Avenue. This will be the first visible sign of major construction on the Downtown portion of the Rail Trail, a project that will reshape Downtown Albuquerque and reconnect historic neighborhoods across the city.
These tracks—once part of the expansive Santa Fe Railway system—are remnants of an era when the city's rail economy employed nearly a quarter of the workforce, turning Albuquerque into a hub of innovation and industry. Now, that same corridor will be reimagined to connect people, neighborhoods, and public spaces.
“The Rail Trail will literally tell Albuquerque’s story, and just like the railroad once shaped our city, this project connects our past to our future,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “It’s a once-in-a-generation project that will impact every Burqueño by linking neighborhoods, growing our economy, and creating spaces that reflect who we are.”
Central Crossing will unite East Downtown with Downtown, two neighborhoods that have been divided by these very tracks for a century. It will also seamlessly connect to the Rail Trail, a 7-mile pedestrian parkway that is expected to foster economic development, enhance safety, and revitalize the heart of Albuquerque.
“From a Rail Runner standpoint, this is not only going to help up move trains more safely through the area, but it will also allow us to make the crossing safer for pedestrians”, said Robert Gonzales, Director of Operations for Rio Metro Regional Transit District. “This is the first crossing in which we are installing a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system can be used in conjunction with GPS data to improve pedestrian crossing safety by detecting pedestrians and vehicles in the crosswalk and alerting the train engineer in real time”.
“This project modernizes one of Albuquerque’s most historic corridors, reimagining it to serve the needs of our city today,” said Terry Brunner, Director of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency. “It’s a strategic effort that will expand economic opportunities, spark development, and create a vibrant urban environment for all residents to enjoy.”
The next phase of the project includes the construction of two ramps on either side of the crossing, providing an accessible at-grade crossing. This infrastructure improvement will enhance safety and foster a deeper sense of community and connection. All updates on how public transit may be impacted related to this project will be posted on the City of Albuquerque Transit Department’s website.