Mayor, Governor Open Paseo, I-25 Interchange

The Paseo del Norte/I-25 interchange is finally set to open. Construction crews are putting the finishing touches on the $93-million project right now.
On Tuesday, barrels will be gone and so will a lot of the traffic headaches. The Paseo project, which started more than a year ago, is expected to wrap up Monday night.
Gov. Susana Martinez, Mayor R.J. Berry and others will gather to celebrate the end of the project with an event starting at 8:30 p.m. Monday. Soon after they cut the ribbon, the first cars will be able to use the flyover.
On Tuesday, drivers will be able to pass through four new bridges and three new interchanges that link the city’s east and Westside. The most noticeable change, the flyover that connects northbound I-25 to westbound Paseo – will also be open.
The free-flow ramp is expected to cut down the drive time for many people in that area.
“We’ve opened up quite a bit of the project already as we crept toward the end of the project, and this is the final piece, and by tomorrow morning, everybody will be able to use Paseo Del Norte at full capacity the way the project was intended,” said Phil Gallegos, spokesman for the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

Transportation officials said approximately 154,000 cars travel through the interchange each day. In addition, an estimated 470 accidents a year have occurred at the interchange, and the new project is designed to reduce those crashes.
Drivers like longtime Albuquerque resident Pete Roth said, “I remember when this was a dirt road out here for Paseo, so this is a whole near era for Albuquerque.” He is confident the traffic congestion will be eased. “Absolutely, this is going to be a great improvement, especially for those who live on the west side,” he said.
Jesse Story, another driver, added, “Oh, yes, it will definitely make a difference. Get the traffic flow going a little faster. That’s what’s it’s all about.”
“We live in Placitas, so having the freeway closed sometimes and taking a half an hour to just get through this area, it’s going to be awesome,” said Alyssa Lamb. “We will celebrate tomorrow once we see it completely open.”
Even though there’s a big ribbon cutting Monday night, the project isn’t completely finished. Crews still need to work on a few things in the spring when weather allows. The New Mexico Department of Transportation said crews will return once the weather warms up in the spring to complete bridge overlay work.
The opening of the flyover is four days ahead of schedule. KRQE News 13 will have crews at the ribbon cutting and will provide updates on air and online.
By: Emily Younger, Aaron Drawhorn and Alex Goldsmith (KRQE News 13)
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