Paseo and Unser expansion project to begin in January

ALBUQUERQUE — Northwest Albuquerque and Rio Rancho commuters beware: In January, the city of Albuquerque will begin work on the biggest road project in its history.

Department of Municipal Development spokesperson Dan Mayfield said in a news release that work is expected to start on Jan. 12 (weather permitting) and take three years to complete.

The $62 million project will consist of widening roads to four lanes, installing new medians and lighting, adding 10-foot multiuse trails and 6-foot bicycle lanes with buffers, and improving the intersection and storm systems, according to the city.

In the first phase, work will start on Unser and go from Paradise to just beyond Paseo del Norte, which will be widened from Calle Norteña west to about just past Unser. Future phases will include widening both streets, including Paseo west to Rainbow and Unser south to Rainbow, Mayfield said.

“DMD’s mission is to make roads better, safer and more efficient for all of us,” Department of Municipal Development Director Jennifer Turner said in a statement “This is a major undertaking and we’re looking forward to improving Unser and Paseo del Norte.”

For more information, Mayfield said people can visit upgradeunserpaseo.com.