Largest Ever: Unser and Paseo Construction to Start Soon
ALBUQUERQUE – The largest construction project in our city’s history will soon start on Albuquerque’s West Side. The Unser and Paseo del Norte widening project will start this fall and will help alleviate congestion for Westside drivers and commuters.
The $62 million widening project will add more traffic lanes, improve the intersection, add bike lanes and trails, improve storm systems, as well as add new lighting.
“This is the largest road project the City has ever undertaken, and that’s because we have made improving infrastructure on the Westside a priority,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Westside commuters have been asking for relief, and this major expansion will help everyone get to work with less hassle.”
Phase 1 of the project will begin on Unser and go from Paradise to just beyond Paseo del Norte. Crews will widen Paseo del Norte from Calle de Nortena to just past Unser. Future phases will include widening both streets, including Paseo west to Rainbow and Unser south to Rainbow.
The project includes:
- Widening both roads to four lanes
- New medians
- 10-foot multi-use trails
- 6-foot bike lanes with 3-foot buffers
- New lighting
- Improved intersection
- Improve stormwater collection systems, including a new detention pond.
“DMD’s mission is to make roads better, safer, and more efficient for all of us,” said Jennifer Turner, Director of the Department of Municipal Development. “This is a major undertaking and we’re looking forward to improving Unser and Paseo del Norte.”
DMD will hold a pre-construction meeting in the fall to present the traffic control plan for detours and to present a construction project timeline. Major construction will start near the end of 2025. The contractor on the project is Star Construction, selected after a competitive bid process. To learn more and to get project updates via email, see upgradeunserpaseo.com.
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About DMD: The Department of Municipal Development builds the city. DMD crews engineer, build, and maintain Albuquerque’s roads and storm drains, as well as design and build city facilities like community centers, libraries, and community safety facilities.