Phasing/Schedule
Phasing
As Albuquerque's west side continues to grow, both Paseo del Norte NW and Unser Blvd. NW function as important regional arterial roadways, gathering traffic from all four corners of the Northwest Mesa. Traffic delays often occur on the existing two-lane roadway sections of Paseo del Norte and Unser Boulevard, and expansion is needed to accommodate existing and planned growth in this area.
These projects are intended to improve safety and traffic flow by widening both roadways to four lanes to reduce congestion and provide enhanced multi-modal transportation options for pedestrians, bicyclists and potential future transit.
Design was completed in 2024 on both the Unser Blvd. Widening Project (also known as the Unser Blvd. Gap Widening Project) and the Paseo del Norte Widening Project. A funding obligation was obtained and bidding was completed in 2025. Star Paving was selected as the general contractor. A ramp-up period began in September 2025, and construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026.
As conceptualized, the two projects will be built in the several phases:
The Unser Blvd. widening project will be built in two phases:
Phase 1: Will begin at Paradise Blvd. and head southwest to just below Paseo Del Norte.
Phase 2/Future Phases: Will begin south of Paseo del Norte and extend south to Rainbow Blvd.
The Paseo del Norte widening project will also be built in a current and a future phase:
Current Phase: Will begin at Calle de Nortena and head west to just past Unser Blvd. NW
Phase 2/Future Phases: Will begin west of Unser Blvd. and extend to east of Rainbow Blvd.
Phase 1 of both projects will be combined to save money and time as well as minimize construction impacts on residents and commuters who use these routes on a daily basis.
Background/Schedule
Winter 2025/2026
- Star Paving selected as general contractor for the project.
- Ramp-up activities prior to construction begin in September 2025.
- Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026.
Summer 2024
Project Update as of July:
- The final plans, specifications and cost estimate for the project are scheduled to be completed the last week of July 2024.
- Then a funding obligation will be requested from the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.
- The executed funding agreement and purchase order are anticipated to be received by October 1, 2024.
- We are scheduled to begin advertising for a contractor in October/November 2024 and will schedule a mandatory pre-bid meeting with any contractors interested by late 2024 or early 2025.
- We anticipate opening bids for the project in the first quarter of 2025 with construction scheduled to begin in the second or third quarter of 2025.
November 2023
90% design plans for both the Unser Blvd. Widening Project and the Paseo del Norte Widening Project are completed and right-of-way acquisition is underway.
January 2023
Environmental approval is received on both the Unser Blvd. Widening Project and the Paseo del Norte Widening Project.
October 2022
Two public meetings and one public open house are held to educate the public about the project and the 30% design plans as well as solicit feedback.
June 2022
The City Council approves gross receipts tax revenue funding of $15 million for expansion of Paseo del Norte. Combined with other City, State and Federal funds, the money will allow the City to expand the segment of Paseo del Norte to four lanes from where it crests the top of the escarpment to Unser Blvd. NW.
February 2022
A Design Analysis Report is completed on the Unser Blvd. Gap Widening Project for Unser Blvd. NW from Rainbow Blvd. to Paradise Blvd.
July 2020
NV 5 is selected to provide conceptual design and engineering services for improvements to Paseo del Norte.
January 2020
Parametrix is selected to provide conceptual design and engineering services for improvements to Unser Blvd.
January 2019
The City of Albuquerque announces plans to issue engineering planning contracts to develop conceptual plans and designs for improving both Paseo del Norte and Unser Blvd. NW in phases.
December 2018
The City Council passes a resolution to fund the expansion of Paseo del Norte between Calle Nortena NW and Rainbow Blvd NW, and further establish the expansion of Paseo del Norte as a neighborhood priority.
October 2018
The City Council approves a resolution to widen Paseo del Norte from Calle Nortena NW to Rainbow NW and to widen Unser Blvd. from Kimmick Drive NW to Paradise Road NW as a priority for the City of Albuquerque Capital Improvement program, the City of Albuquerque's State Legislative Agenda and the City's List of Projects for the Transportation Improvement Program of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Planning Area.
September 2018
The City Council requests $750,000 in City infrastructure funding that was budgeted in 2012 and designated for roadway projects in City Council District 5 but not spent to be reallocated to the widening of Paseo Del Norte from Kimmick Drive NW to Rainbow NW. This would amend the adapted capital implementation program by approving new projects, supplementing current appropriations and changing the scope of existing projects.
Spring 2018
The City Council asks the City of Albuquerque Department of Municipal Development (DMD) to review the feasibility of building a reversible lane on Paseo del Norte Blvd. as an interim solution until the full roadway cross-sections can be developed. The DMD determines two additional lanes are required for even an interim solution.
January 2018
The City of Albuquerque submits a Capital Outlay Request to the New Mexico Legislature to begin funding improvements to Paseo Del Norte Blvd. NW and Unser Blvd. NW.
Although funding is not awarded, the City announces it will begin a multi-year initiative to procure funding for the projects.