Uptown Intersection Improvements
Uptown Intersection Improvements
This project, located in the area that is home to ABQ Uptown, Target, City Place, restaurants and large commercial buildings, is designed to improve pedestrian access and safety on Indian School Road from Americas Parkway to Uptown Loop Road and on Louisiana Boulevard north and south of Indian School.
Planning for the project began in 2022. Construction started in June 2024 and is expected to end in spring 2025.
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About
The Uptown area is very busy in terms of vehicles and pedestrian traffic. As of 2002, Louisiana Boulevard was carrying an average of about 37,000 vehicles a day, while Indian School Road was carrying an average of about 8,900 vehicles a day west of Louisiana Blvd. and 16,000 vehicles a day east of Louisiana Blvd. Both roadways have a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour.
From 2015-2019, there were 162 crashes at Indian School Rd. and Louisiana Blvd. and 37 crashes at Indian School and Uptown Loop. At Indian School Rd. and Louisiana Blvd., there was one fatality (1 percent) and 24 crashes involving injuries (15 percent). Of the crashes with injuries, two involved pedestrians and one involved a bicyclist. About 70 percent of the crashes were during daylight hours.
It is important to note the crash rate was 2.07 crashes per million entering vehicles - nearly two times higher than the Albuquerque average of 1.18 crashes per million entering vehicles.
Project Needs
- Improve pedestrian safety and access – The area between Louisiana Blvd. and Indian School Rd. has a high volume of pedestrian traffic that chooses to cross Indian School mid‐block between Target and the restaurants and shops at ABQ Uptown, rather than walk several hundred feet out of their way to use pedestrian crossing signals located at Louisiana Blvd. or Uptown Loop Rd. In addition, there is a mid‐block ART bus stop and bus shelter for the route on the south side of Indian School in front of the Target and another bus stop located on the north side of Indian School at ABQ Uptown.
- Upgrade existing pedestrian facilities to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) design requirements for curb ramps and other features.
- Update the ITS system on Indian School Rd. to replace outdated copper networks that do not meet current City standards with a fiber network, installing closed‐circuit television cameras to monitor signal operations, and connect ITS infrastructure on Louisiana Blvd. and Indian School Rd.
Project Benefits
Based on the project needs, this project will include:
- A new HAWK signal between Target and ABQ Uptown about 300 feet east of the intersection of Louisiana Blvd. and Indian School Rd. to allow pedestrians to cross Indian School more safely.
- Resurfacing of the asphalt roadway on both Louisiana Blvd. and Indian School Rd. in the project area
- Installation of ADA-compliant access at all four corners of the intersection (northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest) of Louisiana Blvd. and Indian School Rd.
- Removal of unsafe right-turn facilities at the intersection of Indian School Rd. and Louisiana Blvd. that block the line of sight for drivers.
- New curb and gutter, roadway striping and signage
- A new four-way traffic signal with ITS (Intelligent Traffic System) technology and a pedestrian button for activation to help traffic flow more smoothly through the intersection and to allow pedestrians to cross safely
Phases
TLC is the general contractor. The project will be built in four (4) phases, with Phase 2 having five (5) subphases.
Regular work hours are Monday-Friday 7am-5 pm, although the contractor may work longer hours or on weekends as needed.
ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED TO ALL BUSINESSES.
Please note that phases can overlap, and the estimated duration of each phase may change based on weather, equipment or workforce issues and unforeseen circumstances.
Investigation of underground utilities
Estimated Duration: 2 Weeks (June 3-17, 2024)
- Using a rolling arrow board truck, crews will locate underground utilities on Louisiana Blvd. and Indian School Rd. in the project area
- No lane closures will be required
Construction on all Four Corners of Intersection; begin building infrastructure for new traffic signal
Estimated Duration: About Three (3) Months (June-October 2024)
Crews will work on all four corners of the intersection of Louisiana Blvd. and Indian School Rd.
- There will be lane restrictions on both roadways
- There will be pedestrian detours due to sidewalk closures
- Right turn lanes will be closed for contractor safety
NOTE: Active construction will be halted for the New Mexico State Fair and the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, but some barricades may remain in place for safety reasons.
Install infrastructure for new traffic signal, curb and gutter and place some landscaping rock
Estimated Duration: About Three (3) Months (October 2024-February 2025)
- There will be lane restrictions on one or both roadways
- There will be pedestrian detours due to sidewalk closures
- The intersection may be closed for brief periods for roadway resurfacing
NOTE: Active construction will be halted for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday, but some barricades may remain in place for safety reasons.
Resurface roadways, install new signage and striping, test and initiate new traffic signal, final construction activities
Estimated Duration: About One (1) Month (February-March 2025)
- There will be lane restrictions on one or both roadways
- The intersection may be closed for brief periods during the day or overnight for roadway resurfacing
Resources
Approved Plans
Construction Updates
Please click the image below to open a pdf
