Bernalillo County has approved the acceptance of $1.9 million in grants from the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) to support the next phase of the Barcelona Reconstruction Project. The funding was sponsored by Commissioner Frank Baca and was approved at the county commission meeting on October 14, 2025.
The Barcelona Reconstruction Project is located in District 2 and aims to improve Barcelona Road from Barcelona Circle to the Arenal Main Canal, east of Coors Boulevard. The project will use the NMDOT grant along with $100,000 from county bonds to fund improvements that are not eligible for federal support. Planned upgrades include a new drainage system, pavement reconstruction, bike lanes, lighting, pavement markings, signage, and new ADA-compliant sidewalks where needed.
The full construction cost for the Barcelona Reconstruction Project is estimated at $11 million. About half of the funding is already secured, including $4 million from the Federal Surface Transportation Program and $681,648 from county bond funds. Additional construction planning is ongoing.
Construction on Phases 2B and 3 is expected to begin in the coming months.
In related county matters, the District Attorney of Bernalillo County has expressed frustration about suspects violating GPS monitor rules and being released back onto the streets, even in serious cases such as aggravated assault. More details can be found at https://www.krqe.com/news/crime/bernalillo-county-da-frustrated-over-suspects-breaking-ankle-monitor-rules/.
