Bernalillo County, New Mexico, has taken an important step to improve its roads. On the evening of April 26, the Board of County Commissioners agreed to set aside $4.5 million from the county’s Road Fund savings. This money will help speed up several important pavement preservation projects across different parts of the county.
How Bernalillo County Funds Road Projects
Most of Bernalillo County’s road improvement projects are paid for by general obligation bonds. These bonds are approved by voters and are used to fund many things, including transportation projects.
The Road Fund mainly gets its money from franchise fees, gasoline taxes, and motor vehicle taxes. Think of the Road Fund’s balance like a savings account, kept aside for unexpected needs or emergencies that were not planned for in the yearly budget.
What is Pavement Preservation?
The county uses a smart and cost-effective pavement preservation program. This program helps roads last longer by treating them before major problems appear. Different types of treatments are chosen based on the road surface, traffic load, and local weather conditions. These treatments include crack filling, fog sealing, chip sealing, micro surfacing, recycled asphalt pavement, and overlays.
How Will the $4.5 Million Be Used?
After approval, the $4.5 million will be moved into the county’s operating budget. This will make it easier to start the process of buying materials and hiring workers for the upcoming road projects. Here’s a look at where the money will go:
Recycled Asphalt Pavement Projects
- Gun Club from Coors to the end of the road, Shana
- Second Street from Paseo Del Norte to Alameda
Microsurfacing Projects
- Frost Road from NM 14 to the county boundary
- Moriarty Road – will receive a ½” micro surface instead of full paving
- Montano Road (small section near Edith intersection)
- Tramway Terrace subdivision
- Tennyson from Elena to Paseo Del Norte
- Atrisco from Bridge to Arenal
- Arenal from Atrisco to Goff
- Barcelona west of Coors, including subdivision streets south of Barcelona (Jamesway and CJ Court)
- Edmund – Cape seal over chip seal
- Los Faisanes – Cape seal over chip seal
Fog Seal Projects
- Monte Cristo Subdivision
- Kabrico Court and Brianan Court
Materials for Chip Seal Operations (10 Miles of Roads)
- Oil
- Rock aggregate
- Fog seal
Lift Station Pump Replacements
- Two pumps for Sanchez Farms lift station
- One pump for Clay Vista lift station
This new $4.5 million investment shows Bernalillo County’s strong commitment to maintaining and improving its roadways. By acting early with pavement preservation, the county can save money over time, improve driving conditions, and extend the life of its roads. Residents can look forward to smoother, safer journeys thanks to these planned improvements. It also highlights the smart use of local resources to support long-term infrastructure needs.
