Bernalillo County, N.M., is planning an extensive makeover of the Bridge Boulevard section of the South Valley neighborhood of Albuquerque, reported KOB-TV.
Here’s the video report:
Bridge Boulevard was Route 66 from 1926 to 1937, when the Route went southward to Los Lunas before resuming its westward direction. The better-known Central Avenue alignment didn’t become Route 66 until 1938.
According to the station:
Planners see broader sidewalks in the future, with benches shaded by big trees and more restaurants and shops in a pedestrian-friendly environment. […]
The federal government has kicked in $500,000 in grant money for planning, while the county is chipping in another $380,000. Construction on the Gateway Park/ Bridge-Isleta part of the project will start next Monday. The rest of the makeover is still in the planning stages.
The county meeting was still in session at the time of this writing. I sorta hope the makeover doesn’t make the area too nice — that part of town has a gruff, non-yuppie charm that’s refreshing.
The County is also holding public meetings regarding Central from 106th Street west to Atrisco Vista on top of Nine Mile Hill. That plan deals with land use, zoning, transportation, design and a Gateway project that according to the mission “will create a memorable corridor that reflects the heritage of Route 66…” and is proposed to eventually include a visitor center at the crest of the hill. Yippee! That’s my side of town.
The City of Albuquerque is updating its West Route 66 Sector Development Plan and how they deal with Central from Rio Grande Blvd to the county line at 106th Street. They have held several public meetings about land use, zoning, etc. and created a potential project list. Included was a complete rework of the Central and Unser intersection that has been conceptualized and should be getting close to approval.
ALBUQUERQUE is the most Route 66 proud city than any other major US city that has segments of Route 66 according to the PASSA national network of roadways and rairoads.