SOUTH VALLEY, N.M. — Crews are expected to begin working on a busy stretch of Rio Bravo Monday.

“People who live in the South Valley know Rio Bravo during rush hour can also be a pain,” County Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada said.

With the way the road is designed now, traffic can bottleneck in two particular areas.

“Construction will begin Monday with the Rio Grande Boulevard gap improvement projects,” Quezada said.

The first one will add another lane in each direction on Rio Bravo, from Prince Street to 2nd Street – which will increase the total number of lanes from four to six.

Crews will also add a multi-use trail connection, sidewalks, bike lanes, more lighting, and signal upgrades.

“Later this summer, we’ll begin work on a 2nd Street and Rio Bravo intersection widening project,” Quezada said.

Upgrades will be made to the railroad crossing and an additional lane will be added in each direction, from Barr Canal to east of 2nd Street.

Quezada says these projects will also increase curb appeal for drivers going in and out of the Sunport.

“It really invites you into the city, saying, hey, this is where something’s happening,” Quezada said. “At this point, you know, the city’s kind of grown that way and not really toward the South Valley.”

The improvements are part of a larger push across the metro to make roads safer. Year after year, New Mexico ranks first for having the most dangerous roads in the country.

“We’re making it safe for our residents here in Bernalillo County,” Quezada said. “That’s the work that needs to be done.”

To learn more about the Rio Bravo Boulevard gap improvements project, click here. For more on the intersection project at Rio Bravo and 2nd Street, click here.