Construction Initiated on Downtown Albuquerque Rail Trail: Work on walkway and bike ramp begins; Closure of Rio Bravo/Second Street intersection impending
👋 Hello, folks!
Hope you had a blast on Father's Day. Now, steer clear of fun on some Albuquerque streets—at least for the next few days and months. The downtown Central Avenue bridge construction project kicks off from today, involving the creation of a pedestrian and bike ramp, all part of the new Rail Trail—a 7-mile walking and biking trail connecting Downtown, Old Town, the Sawmill District, the Rail Yards, and the bosque.
They aim to finish by April 2026, but in the meantime, you'll face a few changes:
- No access to southbound First Street from either direction on Central.
- The southeast corner of Central and First will be off-limits to pedestrians.
- The Albuquerque Rapid Transit platform remains reachable on First between Central and Gold Avenue.
- The Alvarado Transportation Center approach is through First and Gold.
Michael Davis, the Transit Deputy Director, encourages you to try public transportation instead of driving during this construction period. For more info about routes and schedules, head to the ABQ RIDE website or dial 243-RIDE.
Just a heads-up, Bernalillo County will close Rio Bravo Boulevard and Second Street from Wednesday to Sunday. They're replacing the existing crossing with a wider one to accommodate the expanded six-lane road, but details beyond that are scarce. The goal is to improve traffic flow and safety. We recommend checking local traffic authorities or the City of Albuquerque's transportation department for updates.
Pro tip for navigating construction zones: plan ahead, use alternative routes, and stay updated on public transportation schedules. Happy travels!
- Despite the downtown Central Avenue bridge construction project disrupting some traffic routes, the goal is to transform the area with a new 7-mile walking and biking trail named Rail Trail, benefitting the community and various transportation and finance industries.
- The impending business of the Albuquerque Rapid Transit encourages commuters to leverage public transportation as an alternative during the construction period, considering the closure of certain streets and altered access points in the city.
- The closure of Rio Bravo Boulevard and Second Street highlights the continually evolving transportation landscape in Albuquerque, as authorities seek to improve safety and traffic flow with updates to existing crossings, reminding citizens to stay informed through local authorities and the City of Albuquerque's transportation department.
