WHITE HOUSE COULD FACE, BUT FIRST, FOLKS LIVING ON ALBUQUERQUE’S WEST SIDE ARE EXPECTING A BIG CONSTRUCTION MAKEOVER IN THE NEXT MONTH. OUR JULIAN PARAS HAS ALL OF THE DETAILS FOR US, INCLUDING HOW RESIDENTS ARE REACTING TO THIS PROJECT. THAT’S RIGHT LEAH. THERE HAS BEEN SOME MIXED REACTION TO THIS. SOME PEOPLE WE SPOKE WITH SAY THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT, EVEN IF IT MEANS THEY HAVE TO WAIT MORE THAN TWO YEARS FOR THIS PROJECT TO FINISH. THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE LARGEST INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT IN ALBUQUERQUE’S HISTORY. SOME SAY THEY UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WORK IS HAPPENING. MY MOM, SHE WAKES UP EARLY IN THE MORNINGS AND LIKE SHE HAS TO LEAVE BY LIKE 830. AND TRAFFIC COULD BE DIFFICULT AND STUFF. JASON TAPIA SAYS TRAFFIC CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE, SOMETIMES NEAR PASEO, DEL NORTE AND UNSER. THE CITY CALLING THIS PROJECT THE UNSER BOULEVARD WIDENING. IT WOULD INCLUDE A NEW MEDIAN BIKE LANES WITH THREE FOOT BUFFERS, TEN FOOT MULTI-USE TRAILS, NEW LIGHTING ALONG WITH AN IMPROVED STORM WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM. I MEAN, IT COULD BE INVESTED IN A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS, DON’T GET ME WRONG. BUT IF IT IS GOING TO HELP THE TRAFFIC KEEP PEOPLE SAFER, I MEAN, I THINK IT SHOULD BE DONE. THIS IS A LONG TIME COMING. I MEAN, IT TOOK A LOT OF LEADERSHIP TO BE ABLE TO BUILD UP THE MONEY. CITY COUNCILMAN DAN LEWIS SAID THIS TO US BACK IN JULY. NOW, THAT LONG TIME COMING FOR CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY. THIS MAP FROM THE CITY GIVES PEOPLE AN IDEA OF WHAT THE PROJECT WILL LOOK LIKE, BUT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. BUT IT’S GOING TO TAKE THREE YEARS TO BUILD IT, SO I THINK IT’S GOING TO BE INSANE. TRAFFIC FOR A LONG TIME. THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE DESIGNED TO ADDRESS TRAFFIC ISSUES FOR YEARS TO COME. KOAT ACTION 7 NEWS JULIAN PARAS. AND THAT CONSTRUCTI
Albuquerque’s Unser Boulevard widening project starting soon
Albuquerque is set to begin its largest infrastructure project in January.
Albuquerque is moving forward with its largest infrastructure project. This Unser Boulevard Widening project is set to begin in January and aims to improve traffic conditions near Paseo del Norte and Unser.”My mom, she wakes up early in the mornings and, like, she has to leave by like 8:30, and traffic could be difficult,” said Jason Tapia, highlighting the unpredictable traffic conditions in the area.The project will include a new median, bike lanes with 3-foot buffers, 10-foot multi-use trails, new lighting, and improved stormwater collection systems. Some residents understand the necessity of the project but acknowledge the potential for other investments.”I mean, it could be invested in a bunch of other things, don’t get me wrong. But if it is going to help the traffic keep people safer, I mean, I think it should be done,” one resident said.City Councilman Dan Lewis emphasized the effort required to initiate the project, stating, “It’s a long time coming. I mean, it took a lot of leadership to be able to build up the money.”The construction, which will cost $62 million, is expected to last at least two and a half years. Construction will start around Jan. 12, 2026.
Albuquerque is moving forward with its largest infrastructure project. This Unser Boulevard Widening project is set to begin in January and aims to improve traffic conditions near Paseo del Norte and Unser.
“My mom, she wakes up early in the mornings and, like, she has to leave by like 8:30, and traffic could be difficult,” said Jason Tapia, highlighting the unpredictable traffic conditions in the area.
The project will include a new median, bike lanes with 3-foot buffers, 10-foot multi-use trails, new lighting, and improved stormwater collection systems. Some residents understand the necessity of the project but acknowledge the potential for other investments.
“I mean, it could be invested in a bunch of other things, don’t get me wrong. But if it is going to help the traffic keep people safer, I mean, I think it should be done,” one resident said.
City Councilman Dan Lewis emphasized the effort required to initiate the project, stating, “It’s a long time coming. I mean, it took a lot of leadership to be able to build up the money.”
The construction, which will cost $62 million, is expected to last at least two and a half years. Construction will start around Jan. 12, 2026.
