NMDOT Proposes to Demolish Carnuel Bridge

The Carnuel community refuses to silence their concerns about the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s (NMDOT) proposal to remove the westbound off-ramp bridge at I-40 exit 170, also known as the Carnuel exit. 

The NMDOT held a meeting May 16 to hear public concerns about its I-40 Tijeras Arroyo Bridges study. The study was a process officials followed to gather data for a new project proposal. The proposal recommends replacing the I-40 eastbound/westbound bridge, rehabilitating the South Frontage Road bridge and permanently removing the westbound off-ramp bridge. 

The study was presented by Luke Smith, a project development engineer manager for NMDOT’s Central Regional Division, along with Jeff Fredine and Jim Buckman from Parametrix, an Albuquerque engineering firm.

The comment period is open through June 16. Then project managers will make final recommendations and plan to move on to phases that include environmental clearance, design and construction. 

The presentation showed that the eastbound and westbound bridges were built in 1978, and while they had maintenance projects completed in the 1990s, they are in poor condition. The South Frontage Road bridge, however, is in satisfactory condition and has no structural issues. The presentation also went over possible concerns about the project since the bridge is over the arroyo, which is an archaeological site and a location for wildlife and natural resources. 

“The structural capacity of the bridges does not meet current standards, and that’s not to say that they’re unsafe, they just weren’t designed for the heavy trucks,” Buckman said. “They are at the ripe old age of 46 which is approaching the end of life for bridges. The westbound off-ramp bridge was also built at the same time. They carry about 22,000 vehicles a day and that’s expected to nearly double in the next 20 years.” 

The presentation stated that the bridges have damage caused by decades of exposure to traffic and the environment, issues that could lead to structural failure and bridge closures. The westbound off-ramp would cost $4.9 million to repair, which “exceeds the benefits of the community.” Removing the ramp would cost $820,000 but would require users to change routes. 

“The benefits of keeping the existing ramp open were compared to detouring traffic to Tramway Boulevard, the savings were travel time, vehicle operating costs, reducing crashes and saving emissions,” Buckman said. 

Residents’ main concerns about closing the off-ramp were traffic, safety and the issues it would cause for emergency vehicles. Residents also said if the bridge cannot be replaced, there should be plans for a new one. A resident who lives near North 14 said he is against this proposal and said there are people further east who are also concerned with the possible outcome. 

“The number of hours I have sat on I-40 if it wasn’t for that exit to get off, I would probably still be there,” he said. “Have you researched or looked at the possibility, if you have to get rid of this bridge, can you have an off-ramp just another 1,000 feet past to get across the arroyo?”

Buckman said they have looked into that possibility, but if there is a need for a ramp then the ramp should remain because it would not make sense to look at other types of alternatives. 

Another resident, Kimberly Murak, who has lived in the canyon for close to 19 years, had a fire on her property in the past and also referenced a larger fire that happened in the area. 

“That is my concern,” Murak said. “Emergency vehicles being able to move around easily. They did gather at that bridge in that off-ramp area, all of the emergency vehicles were staged there during that big fire. So that area itself is utilized by the emergency department.”

Emily Sandt, another attendee, said she was not opposed to the closing of the bridge but is also concerned about emergencies and asked what the contingency plan would be if this proposal were to be implemented. 

Smith said they are in contact with emergency and police departments, but this proposal is not far along which is the reason they held the meeting, so every concern can be considered. He said these comments would go into the public record to be included in the report.

“There will not be a vote but we are taking this feedback and weighing it heavily,” Smith said. 

To submit a comment form, visit www.dot.nm.gov/event/tijeras-bridges-public-meeting, email the project team at I40Bridges_Carnuel@parametrix.com, call 505-998-5552 or mail comments to Tijeras Study, Parametrix, 4041 Jefferson Plaza NE, Suite 210, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109.

After the public comment section is completed, there will be final recommendations on June 30, preliminary design in the spring of 2025, the final design in the spring of 2026 and anticipated start of construction in 2028 or 2029.