Council Vice President Dan Lewis Funds Project to Widen Unser Blvd and Paseo Del Norte to Four Lanes
June 7, 2022
City Council Vice President Dan Lewis proudly announces the unanimous adoption of R-22-34 by the Albuquerque City Council that appropriates $100,000,000 in new projects for the City of Albuquerque using Gross Receipts Tax Improvement Revenue Bonds. Councilor Lewis co-sponsored the resolution that includes $15,000,000 for expansion of Paseo del Norte on the Northwest Mesa.
Combined with other City, State, and Federal funds the addition of the $15,000,000 will allow the City to expand to four lanes on the segment of Paseo Del Norte from where it crests the top of the escarpment to Unser Boulevard and the part of Unser Boulevard from Paseo Del Norte to Paradise Boulevard. This project will go a long way to removing a major traffic choke point in the Northwest Mesa that extends on Paseo from Calle Nortena to Rainbow Boulevard, and on Unser from Kimmick Avenue to Paradise Boulevard. The choke point creates traffic delays that adds a half hour to forty-five minutes to daily rush hour commute trips, and ominously delays the arrival of emergency equipment to neighborhoods located along these segments of these roads.
The new roadway sections will include four lanes, a median to separate on-coming traffic travelling in different directions, storm drainage to maintain a safe and dry roadway during inclement weather, and a multi-use pedestrian and bike trail. The project is currently in design and the acquisition of right way will begin this year. The project is expected to be advertised for construction in 2024. The City plans to launch a website at the end of June 2022 to disseminate to the public information about these roadway improvements and provide updates as the project progresses.
Councilor Lewis stated, “Since choosing to serve on the City Council once again, it has been one of my primary goals to widen and improve these critical roadways. This phase will go a-long way to improving the quality of life of all the people on the Northwest Mesa allowing them to spend more time with their families and making a living and not stalled in rush hour traffic. It will especially allow for the prompt critical delivery of emergency services to the neighborhoods located along these roadways. I will continue to tirelessly seek funding to complete the remaining roadway sections and will be working with the State Legislators and Federal Congressional Delegation to accomplish this effort.”
For further information or to reach Councilor Dan Lewis, contact Giselle Alvarez 505-768-3118 [email protected].