1. What will the interchange look like?
Illustrations of the two alternatives recommended by the NMDOT can be found on this website.  Both alternatives reconstruct the interchange and adjoining segments of I-25 and Paseo del Norte using a modern interchange and freeway configuration with flyover ramps that correct the problems with the existing facility.  Two additional key elements of both alternatives are: (1) the grade separation of Paseo del Norte and Jefferson to eliminate the severe congestion at this location, and (2) the addition of a new parallel street over the Domingo Baca Arroyo to separate local traffic from longer-distance traffic. 

2. Why may Access to my Business or Property be Changed, Reduced or Eliminated?
Access management has been practiced on New Mexico roadways for many years and is becoming increasingly important to maintain and preserve the capacity of the transportation system as travel demands continue to rise.  The purpose of access management is to provide vehicular access to land development in a manner that preserves the safety and efficiency of the transportation system.  Access management is applied to the roadway system based on functional classification as illustrated in the graphic below.  Often, access is restricted to and from the roadway system for the greater good of the traveling public with more restrictions on the higher-type roadways such as I-25 and Paseo del Norte.


Click image to view larger.

3. How much will improvements to I-25/Paseo del Norte cost?
Preliminary cost estimates for the two alternatives recommended by the NMDOT are $358 million for Alternative 7 and $360 million for Alternative 16 based on 2009 dollars.  These costs include the interchange plus extensive improvements to the segments of I-25 and Paseo del Norte that are adjacent to the interchange. The extensive improvements included in these costs are:

• New I-25/Paseo del Norte Interchange including flyover ramps; the layout depends on the alternative.
• Widening of Paseo del Norte from Edith Boulevard to San Pedro Drive, including improvements to the intersection at San Pedro Drive.
• Grade separation of Paseo del Norte and Jefferson Street with access to and from west Paseo del Norte and improvements to Jefferson Street from Lang Street to the Domingo Baca Arterial.
• New arterial street over the Domingo Baca Arroyo between the North Diversion Channel and I-25.
• Grade separation of Paseo del Norte over the future Channel Road.
• Improvements/modifications to the interchanges of I-25 at San Mateo Boulevard/Osuna Road, San Antonio Drive, and Alameda Boulevard.
• Widening I-25 from Jefferson Street to Alameda Boulevard.
• Improvements to the I-25 frontage roads from San Mateo Boulevard/Osuna Road to Alameda Boulevard.
• Connection of the east-west bike trail system across I-25 continuing west to the North Diversion Channel trail.
• Acquisition of right-of-way and clean-up costs for former landfill sites. 

4. Is funding available for the project?
Funds to implement the I-25/Paseo del Norte Interchange project are not available and have not been identified. It is anticipated that the project will be implemented in logical phases as funding sources are identified based on the amount that becomes available.

5. When will construction start?
Currently unknown.

6. How long will construction take? 
When full funding is available, the NMDOT prefers to construct projects as a single phase.  This approach shortens the time that traffic is disrupted and lessens impacts to the community. If full funding can be secured for the project, construction could be completed in approximately 24 to 30 months.  Otherwise, the project would be implemented in phases over several years. 

7. What benefits to the community will result from improving the interchange?
The proposed improvements to I-25 and Paseo del Norte will have many benefits.  One noteworthy benefit is the reduction of congestion and delays that affect motorists on a daily basis.   The extent of this benefit is illustrated by comparing the time it takes motorists to travel through the existing interchange as compared to an improved interchange.  Various example trips through the interchange during peak traffic hours and the savings for each are shown in the exhibit below.

Click to view larger version.