Downtown Albuquerque Rail Trail Construction Begins, Affecting Transit Routes

Construction has begun on a major Rail Trail project in downtown Albuquerque, which will include a new pedestrian overpass and rail crossing near First Street and Central Avenue. This project aims to enhance safety and connectivity by replacing problematic underpasses with a bridge and crossing ramp, allowing pedestrians to cross at ground level while opening new views of Central Avenue. The construction will affect traffic patterns, including lane closures and detours for three ABQ Transit bus routes, and is expected to last about ten months. This phase is critical for facilitating future development of the Rail Trail, which will extend north and south along the railroad tracks, improving mobility between neighborhoods. Meanwhile, in Omaha, the long-vacant Crossroads Mall site is finally seeing progress with the start of a nearly $1 billion redevelopment project anchored by a large entertainment complex featuring a Cinemark family entertainment center, apartments, office space, and public green areas. City officials in Omaha are optimistic that this development will transform the site into a vibrant urban area resembling a city more than a shopping center.