12-05-2025
Road Warrior: La Bajada project firm wins awards
May 12—Happy Monday.
I hope everyone had a peaceful and pleasant Mother's Day.
Let's start out by congratulating Albuquerque firm Wilson & Company for recently being recognized for its work on the Interstate 25 Slope Mitigation and Roadway Improvements project at La Bajada.
The project was named winner of the Grand Conceptor and People's Choice awards at the recent American Council of Engineering Companies New Mexico Chapter Gala Awards Ceremony, according to the firm's Facebook page.
Wilson & Company collaborated with the New Mexico Department of Transportation, WSP and Mountain State Constructors to stabilize the road, mitigate slope erosion and improve the highway's safety.
Work included the construction of 1,000 soil-mix columns, which were drilled up to 50 feet deep under the highway. This provided stability to the subgrade, allowing for the reconstruction of outdated pavement, according to the firm.
"The project team delivered a suite of innovative engineering solutions to stabilize the roadway, enhance safety, and accommodate future traffic demands," ACEC spokesperson Allison Schneider said in a news release.
SOUTH VALLEY PROJECT: Bernalillo County will host a public meeting to discuss the San Ygnacio Road and Tapia Boulevard Phase 1A Project.
The meeting will take place Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Westside Community Center, 1250 Isleta SW.
The project will include work on storm drainage infrastructure as well as curb and gutter, sidewalk and other improvements on Tapia from San Ygnacio to Robertson Avenue, and on Robertson from Tapia to the outfall at the Armijo Interior Drain.
Bernalillo County representatives will present draft plans and outline the project schedule, county spokesperson Melissa Smith said.
'NEED TO BE EDUCATED': Reader Leslie Kryder said nobody stops at the crosswalk at Lomas and Jefferson NE.
"Nobody even slows down," Kryder said. "I suspect most people don't even see the crosswalk because the signage is so small. The only time people stop is when there are school crossing guards with yellow vests and whistles."
Kryder said not only does the signage need to be improved, "but Albuquerque drivers need to be educated about the laws on crosswalks."
BRIDGE CLOSURE: The Rio del Oso bridge on U.S. 84 in Chili will have rotating closures starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday while the contractor raises the bridge to replace bearing pads under the bridge, NMDOT District 5 spokesperson Jim Murray said.
The road is expected to fully reopen at 5 p.m.
For the latest updates, he said, people can visit or call 511.
PATROL RECOGNITION: The Cuba Patrol was recently named NMDOT's District 6 Patrol of the Year.
The Best Patrol Program recognizes a patrol from each district that has displayed excellence throughout all areas of its maintenance operation.
"Patrols must not only display exceptional maintenance of their roadways, but must also maintain proper bookkeeping, a clean and organized patrol yard, and well-maintained equipment," NMDOT District 6 spokesperson Jenny Gallegos said.
