Freeway lane changes herald new I-25 interchange work

LOS LUNAS — The village of Los Lunas announced Monday a change is coming to Interstate 25 south of the Main Street exit as part of the ongoing I-25 Interchange/Los Lunas Boulevard Project.

In a press release, the village said northbound traffic on I-25 will be shifted, crossing over to the southbound lanes about one mile south of the I-25-Main Street interchange. The change began on Monday and runs through tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 3.

The change will create one lane of traffic open in each direction (northbound and southbound) three miles on the west lanes of I-25. The two lanes will be separated by concrete barriers.

Village of Los Lunas Deputy Administrator and Public Information Officer Nancy Jo Gonzales said the detour will be in place for around two years as crews will begin building the I-25 northbound on and off ramps to Los Lunas Boulevard well as the I-25 bridge over the new road.

“If all goes well, according to plan, it’ll be two years, Gonzales said. “Of course things could change. It could be sooner, but two years is the targeted plan.”

The release also reported that crews are now working at the Rio Grande in preparation for the new bridge that will be built to span the river. Los Lunas Public Works Director Michael Jaramillo said via email the work near the river is mostly prep work at this point.

“Currently, the contractor is clearing all the trees within the route of the bridge construction,” Jaramillo wrote. “Construction of the bridge will not start until the irrigation season is completed (in October).”

Regular work hours on both sites 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Crews may work longer hours or on weekends as needed.