Local Leaders Continue Push for Paseo del Norte and Unser Blvd Improvements
Today, City Councilor Dan Lewis, District 5, joined State Legislators including Senator Harold Pope, Representatives Cynthia Borrego, Joy Garratt, Charlotte Little, Dayan Hochman-Vigil, County Commissioner Walt Benson, and City Councilors Renee Grout and Louie Sanchez to provide an update and next steps for improvements of Paseo del Norte and Unser Blvd. on Albuquerque’s westside.
Visit the Paseo del Norte and Unser expansion project webpage.
“The accomplishments of moving these projects forward have been a team effort, with lots of hard work and determination by many of the elected officials here today,” said Councilor Dan Lewis. “We have all worked hard over many years to build the funding for these roadways.”
Phase 1, called the “L Phase” due to its shape, will construct Paseo del Norte from Calle del Nortena to Unser Blvd and Unser from Paseo del Norte to Paradise. This phase is funded at $45 million and design is nearing completion with the City actively acquiring right of way. When right of way acquisition is completed, construction should be able to proceed with the City advertising project construction in the fall of 2024 with construction activity to begin in early 2025. This phase will provide a four-lane connection for Paseo del Norte from I-25 to Unser and a four-lane connection for Unser from Paseo del Norte to just past Norther Blvd. in Rio Rancho. These improvements will increase traffic flow for westside commuters, stop the diversion of traffic from more minor roads, and include new multi-use trails that will parallel Paseo del Norte on both sides to create safe bicycle and pedestrian routes in this corridor.
Phase 2 will construct Paseo del Norte from Unser to Rainbow. This phase has two subphases, one from Unser to Universe, the second from Universe to Rainbow. Each phase costs $19 million, currently Northwest Legislators have raised $4 million from the 2023 State Capital Outlay. Now, the area’s elected officials are working to fund the remaining $34 million with more State Capital Outlay, funding from State House Bill 2, City General Obligation Bonds, and Bernalillo County funds.
City Councilor Dan Lewis added, “These improvements provide tremendous benefits to our community. The neighborhoods that live close to the roadways will experience relief from traffic congestion and it allows for emergency vehicles to cut down on response times. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with our areas representatives to keep the momentum we’ve built going and to complete funding for future phases.”