Project to widen U.S. 550 begins

Nighttime lane closures expected

Work will begin Monday to widen U.S. 550 to six lanes across the Rio Grande, which will including building a new bridge to accommodate the wider thoroughfare, state officials said.

The purpose of the project is to reduce traffic congestion on the busy corridor, install storm drains, and provide access for bicyclists and pedestrians, the New Mexico Department of Transportation said.

Phase 1 of the project will widen U.S. 550 to three lanes in each direction from Camino Don Tomas Road in Bernalillo to Sheriff’s Posse Road west of the river, the agency said in a written statement.

U.S. 550 now provides two lanes in each direction in that area.

The $13.1 million project will include building a new bridge north of the existing bridge to accommodate the additional lanes.

Motorists can expect partial lane closures at night, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Full closure will be allowed up to five nights to allow workers to set girders on the new bridge. Detour routes will be in place during the closures.

Phase 1 completion is expected by November 2018.

A subsequent Phase II project will complete the widening of U.S. 550 to six lanes from Camino del Pueblo (N.M. 313) to N.M. 528, including a new intersection at U.S. 550 and N.M. 528.

The work is part of a larger project to increase capacity on U.S. 550, which included a recent project to upgrade the Interstate 25 interchange.

Visit NMroads.com for updates.