By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
Drivers heading south on Western Hills Drive will have to take the long way around starting Monday, when the city closes the southbound lanes between Southern and Cabezon boulevards for a $2.3 million rebuild.
Contractor TLC begins the first phase of work Sept. 28, according to the City of Rio Rancho. Northbound lanes stay open.
Southbound drivers will head west on Southern Boulevard, south on Unser Boulevard and east on Cabezon Boulevard to rejoin Western Hills, according to city detour maps.
Crews will mill the old asphalt, prep the subgrade, lay new base course and pavement, restripe the road and build ADA-compliant curb ramps. The project also adds a new “smart” fire hydrant.
The city estimates the work will take about six months, with the project schedule running through April 2027. Lane closures and detours will shift as the project moves into later phases, so the city urges drivers to check the project page regularly. The road ahead gets smoother — just not yet.
Western Hills Drive Reconstruction
- Project page (updated closures and detour maps): rrnm.gov/5075/Western-Hills-Reconstruction
- Project manager: Alex Clay
- Phone: 505-896-8227
- Email: aclay@rrnm.gov
- Cost: $2,341,199.79
- Schedule: September 2026 – April 2027