albuquerque to replace walking bridges, upgrade trails

The decks of six pedestrian-scale bridges in Albuquerque, spanning a large diversion channel, are now scheduled for demolition and replacement.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department is taking on the project as part of an effort to improve walking and biking trails throughout Albuquerque.

The six bridges in question cross several North Diversion Channel drains and a concrete drainage ditch. Earlier this spring, the city completed its first bridge deck replacement job near the intersection of Osuna Road and Chappell Road NE.

The wood decks were built in the mid-1990s and are showing the effects of time and use.

According to plans, the wooden decks will be replaced with concrete, protected by a layer of epoxy and sand.

Although an exact timetable for when work on the decks will begin has not been announced, city officials say the replacement project should cost around $500,000.

All of the bridges are located on the west side of Interstate 25 between Osuna Road on the north and Montano Road to the south.

The North Diversion Channel Trail is one of the most popular biking and walking trails in Albuquerque, running nearly 9 miles from the campus of the University of New Mexico to the Balloon Fiesta Park on the north side of the city.

By Garry Boulard

---