What are the Limits of the Project?
The I-25/Paseo del Norte Interchange Study is evaluating improvements to I-25 from the San Mateo/Osuna interchange to the Tramway Road interchange, and to Paseo del Norte (PDN) from Second Street to Wyoming Boulevard (study area map). Both roadways are regionally significant, high-capacity transportation corridors in the Albuquerque Metropolitan Planning Area (AMPA).

Why are Improvements Needed?
Improvements to the I-25/Paseo del Norte interchange are needed to address congestion that occurs every day, often referred to as recurring congestion.  As such, the need for the project is evident from the delays experienced by motorists as they travel through the study area.  Examples of existing deficiencies are illustrated in Exhibit 1 and key issues illustrating the project need are shown in Exhibit 2.  These deficiencies are expected to deteriorate with continued regional growth of the Albuquerque metro area and with future development within the North I-25 Business Center and the Paseo del Norte corridor. 

Are there Priorities for the Project Improvements?
All transportation systems are based on a hierarchy of roadway types.  Interstate 25 and Paseo del Norte are both major thoroughfares in the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area.  However, I-25, a controlled-access facility and a part of the National Highway System, commands the highest priority within the project area.  Traffic operations and safety along I-25 must be at the forefront of the proposed improvements.  Paseo del Norte, an expressway, is next as the regional importance of this roadway also requires a high level of operational and safety performance.  The arterial surface street system, which includes streets like Alameda Boulevard, San Mateo Boulevard, the I-25 east and west frontage roads and Jefferson Street, follows I-25 and Paseo del Norte in priority.  Collector streets such as San Pedro Drive are next, followed by the local street network. 

What Types of Improvements are being Considered?
After considerable analysis, two “Build” alternatives are currently being considered to address the purpose and need for the I-25/PDN interchange project.  The alternatives, identified as Alternative 7 and Alternative 16, both propose a reconfiguration of the I-25 ramps from the San Mateo/Osuna interchange to the Alameda interchange along with reconstruction of the I-25/PDN interchange to provided grade-separated movements.  The “No Action” alternative is also being considered as part of the project development process.  Key attributes of the “Build” alternatives include: