Comment Stage Underway for Proposed New Bridge in Rio Arriba County

Public input is expected to be received until later this month on a project that will see the building of a new bridge in northern New Mexico.

The Canjilon Bridge, which is a part of U.S. Route 84 in Rio Arriba County, was built in 1960 and has long been thought to be in need of an upgrade.

The structure, located just to the west of the popular Ghost Ranch retreat and education center, serves nearly 1,800 vehicles a day and has seen some substructural deterioration through the years.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation has issued a Request for Input regarding the replacement of the bridge, which spans the Canjilon Creek. In so doing, the state DOT noted in a press release that the purpose of the bridge replacement project would be to address structural inadequacies and "correct current substandard bridge thickness and width."

If built, the new bridge will have 12-foot driving lanes, with 6-foot shoulders on each side.

The DOT notice additionally states that a temporary bridge will be built to serve traffic during the construction of a new Canjilon Bridge.

Public comment on the project will be accepted online until October 21.

​By Garry Boulard

Photo Courtesy of New Mexico Department of Transportation

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