The Bernalillo County Board of County Commissioners has approved the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Frontage Road Lighting Project in District 2, following a request sponsored by County Commissioner Frank Baca. The project will see the installation of 119 solar-powered lights along the I-40 South Frontage Road, stretching from Atrisco Vista Boulevard to Shelly Road.
MWI, identified as the lowest bidder, will carry out the work for approximately $2.3 million. The funding comes from a Transportation Project Fund Grant totaling $2.9 million, with $2.7 million provided by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and a $145,000 contribution from Bernalillo County. The project design has already been completed.
Commissioner Frank Baca stated, “Lighting along roadways provides safety and, in this case, is much needed, as there have been many car crashes along this stretch of road. We have worked closely with NMDOT and the City of Albuquerque to install lighting from the city landfill to the Frontage Road and along four miles of the Frontage Road. The completion of this final phase will ensure that drivers have increased visibility of the entire roadway, signs, other drivers and pedestrians resulting in reduced crash rates.”
The project is expected to be completed by early 2026.
This safety improvement comes at a time when public safety remains a concern in Bernalillo County. The District Attorney has recently expressed frustration over suspects violating GPS monitor requirements and being released back onto the streets, despite efforts by the DA’s office to keep them in custody until trial. More information on these concerns can be found at https://www.krqe.com/news/crime/bernalillo-county-da-frustrated-over-suspects-breaking-ankle-monitor-rules/.
