By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
Rio Rancho and Westside commuters face a two-day closure on Paseo del Norte this week as construction crews blast through basalt to install storm drainage on a corridor serving tens of thousands of daily drivers.
Paseo del Norte will close between Universe Boulevard and Unser Boulevard from about noon Thursday, May 28, through about 5 p.m. Friday, May 29, according to a project construction update issued Wednesday. Crews need to blast for two storm drainage laterals and then repair the roadway before reopening.
The closure is part of Albuquerque’s $62 million Unser-Paseo overhaul — the largest road construction project in the city’s history — which will widen both corridors from two lanes to four. The project is expected to run through mid-to-late 2028.
“About 30,000 Rio Rancho residents use this road every day,” state Rep. Joshua Hernandez said at the project’s March groundbreaking. “It’s unsafe. It’s too fast. This is a huge upgrade for everyone.”
Eastbound drivers on Paseo del Norte should detour south on Universe Boulevard, east on Rainbow Boulevard to Kimmick Drive, then north on Kimmick Drive back to Paseo del Norte. All construction is weather permitting and subject to change without notice.
Blasting was anticipated when the project launched — much of the corridor sits on hard basalt. The project website posts advance notice of blasting activity. The construction zone speed limit is 25 mph.
INFO BOX Paseo del Norte closure: What to know
- When: Noon Thursday, May 28 – ~5 p.m. Friday, May 29
- Where: Paseo del Norte between Universe Blvd. and Unser Blvd.
- Detour: South on Universe → east on Rainbow → north on Kimmick Drive
- Project updates: upgradeunserpaseo.com