Latest news with #ErinCallahan
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Road Warrior: Groundbreaking for Los Lunas corridor project set for August
May 26—Happy Memorial Day Monday. The groundbreaking for the Los Lunas Interstate 25 second interchange and east-west corridor project is expected to take place in the summer. "We are narrowing down a date for a groundbreaking ceremony in August," Deputy Village Administrator Erin Callahan said, "but the actual work on the project could start shortly before that, depending on how quickly the contractor can mobilize." The corridor would go from I-25 to N.M. Highway 47 and will include a full interchange at Morris Road, a river bridge, and intersections at Sichler Road, N.M. Highway 314, Edeal Road and Highway 47, according to the village website. On May 2, the village awarded phase one of the project to Terrero Construction. "This is a historic milestone for our community," Mayor Charles Griego said in a news release. "Breaking ground on the Los Lunas Boulevard corridor isn't just about building a road — it's about building opportunity. This new interchange will reduce congestion on N.M. 6, improve emergency response, and unlock access to high-growth areas that have been waiting for critical infrastructure investment." The Valencia County News-Bulletin reported the overall project budget is about $170 million. I-25 PROJECT NEARING COMPLETION: The roadway rehabilitation project on Interstate 25 between Caballo and Las Palomas in Sierra County is expected to be finished in June, New Mexico Department of Transportation District 1 spokesperson Ami Evans said. A 12-foot width restriction is in place throughout the project, she said. Oversize loads will require a permit. The contractor's hours of operation will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, Evans said. 'CHAOTIC, DANGEROUS': Reader Larry Buck said the roundabout at Rio Grande NW and Candelaria NW "demonstrates the lack of how a rotary is supposed to work. "Drivers who are going either south or north on Rio Grande think that they have right-of-way to zoom thru the rotary regardless," he said. Additionally, Buck said, there are "some reticent drivers who are entering the rotary, come to a full stop before entering the rotary even when there are no vehicles entering or even in the rotary. In summary, this rotary is chaotic, dangerous, and demonstrates driver ignorance," he said.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Road Warrior: Groundbreaking for Los Lunas corridor project set for August
May 26—Happy Memorial Day Monday. The groundbreaking for the Los Lunas Interstate 25 second interchange and east-west corridor project is expected to take place in the summer. "We are narrowing down a date for a groundbreaking ceremony in August," Deputy Village Administrator Erin Callahan said, "but the actual work on the project could start shortly before that, depending on how quickly the contractor can mobilize." The corridor would go from I-25 to N.M. Highway 47 and will include a full interchange at Morris Road, a river bridge, and intersections at Sichler Road, N.M. Highway 314, Edeal Road and Highway 47, according to the village website. On May 2, the village awarded phase one of the project to Terrero Construction. "This is a historic milestone for our community," Mayor Charles Griego said in a news release. "Breaking ground on the Los Lunas Boulevard corridor isn't just about building a road — it's about building opportunity. This new interchange will reduce congestion on N.M. 6, improve emergency response, and unlock access to high-growth areas that have been waiting for critical infrastructure investment." The Valencia County News-Bulletin reported the overall project budget is about $170 million. I-25 PROJECT NEARING COMPLETION: The roadway rehabilitation project on Interstate 25 between Caballo and Las Palomas in Sierra County is expected to be finished in June, New Mexico Department of Transportation District 1 spokesperson Ami Evans said. A 12-foot width restriction is in place throughout the project, she said. Oversize loads will require a permit. The contractor's hours of operation will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, Evans said. 'CHAOTIC, DANGEROUS': Reader Larry Buck said the roundabout at Rio Grande NW and Candelaria NW "demonstrates the lack of how a rotary is supposed to work. "Drivers who are going either south or north on Rio Grande think that they have right-of-way to zoom thru the rotary regardless," he said. Additionally, Buck said, there are "some reticent drivers who are entering the rotary, come to a full stop before entering the rotary even when there are no vehicles entering or even in the rotary. In summary, this rotary is chaotic, dangerous, and demonstrates driver ignorance," he said.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Los Lunas ready to break ground on I-25 interchange project
LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE) – A long-awaited freeway interchange and river crossing south of Albuquerque is finally ready to break ground with a promise to clear up congestion for people heading to Los Lunas. The 'Los Lunas Boulevard Corridor Project' is something commuters have been wishing for for more than two decades now, slated to break ground this summer. 'When we're really congested on Main Street, we can see backups for an hour or more,' said Erin Callahan, Deputy Village Administrator of Los Lunas. Since the 90s, heavy traffic backups have been commonplace for drivers heading down Main Street in Los Lunas. With just one exit off I-25, the village has planned a project to add another exit off I-25 for years. 'It's a major road safety issue because of how much it compromises emergency response,' said Callahan. Bernalillo County set to begin major infrastructure project in South Valley Now the village said addressing the problem will start in August, selecting 'El Terrero Construction' to build the first phase of the project. That $171 million project will put the new 'Los Lunas Boulevard' where Morris Road is now, around two miles south of the city's only I-25 exit today. 'It'll include a full intersection at highway 314, a railroad crossing, one of the longest river bridges in the state, and then access to New Mexico 47 on the other side of the river,' said Callahan. The project will ultimately link traffic between I-25 east to Highway 47. While helping save commuters' time, village leaders also hope the three-year project will eventually ensure a better emergency response across Los Lunas. 'We want our residents and our Valencia County residents to be able to, you know, effectively and safely move through the village,' said Callahan. The village is also planning a second phase of the project, which would expand the new connecting road from one lane in each direction to two lanes. They are still actively seeking funding for that part of the project. The village adds that they are expecting construction to start in August and wrap up by mid-2028. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
26-02-2025
- Business
- Axios
Why more people want to build casitas in San Antonio
Permits issued to build casitas have increased by nearly 38% in the two years since San Antonio approved changes to make it easier to develop them, an Axios data analysis shows. Why it matters: Proponents of the tiny homes say casitas can offer more affordable housing in a city experiencing increasing rent and mortgage costs. But opponents have long been worried they could be used as short-term rentals like Airbnbs. Catch up quick: Casitas are tiny homes behind larger houses that can be rented out or occupied by family (leading to their other names — in-law suites and granny flats). They're also called accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. Affordable housing advocates see ADUs as a tool in part because they can make efficient use of already-developed land. The idea is that renters can afford a smaller space and homeowners can benefit from the income. Flashback: In November 2022, the City Council approved changes to San Antonio's development code aimed at making it easier to build casitas. The rules took effect Jan. 1, 2023. ADUs can now be larger — up to 1,600 square feet. There is no limit on the number of bedrooms. By the numbers: The city issued 110 permits for ADUs in 2023 and 2024, an analysis of public permit data shows. That's compared to 80 ADU permits issued in 2021 and 2022, before the changes took effect. State of play: Last year, the city compiled permit-ready ADU designs. People who use them and meet certain income requirements can have permit fees waived — part of the city's effort to encourage more ADU development. Reality check: It's difficult to quantify how often these homes are used as affordable alternatives. But anecdotally, people seem to be turning to them for family housing. Zoom in: Erin Callahan is co-owner of Elbow Room, a San Antonio-based company focused entirely on casitas. She launched the business in April 2020, seeing that people wanted more space at home during the pandemic. Callahan estimates about 60 to 70% of Elbow Room customers want a casita for multi-generational living, which is fairly common in San Antonio. Elbow Room often builds for people whose older parents are downsizing, or who want to build a separate home for their adult children on the same property. A 20-by-16 model called The Lynda, which has a kitchenette and a bathroom, costs about $114,000. A "microhouse" version of The Lynda — with a bed, bath, kitchen and washer and dryer — runs around $136,000. What they're saying: Callahan says casitas add value to the main property, keep older adults out of assisted living and build equity for the next generation. "It provides a lot of solutions," she tells Axios.
