Paseo del Volcan (NM 347) Road Extension Study
Rainbow Blvd to Southern Blvd in Sandoval CountyNMDOT Control No. A301573
STUDY OVERVIEW
WHERE IS THE STUDY AREA?
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, is conducting a corridor study for the extension of NM Highway 347 also known as Paseo del Volcan (PDV) located on the northwestern side of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho in Sandoval County, New Mexico. A segment of PDV exists between US Highway 550 and Unser Boulevard. The study area starts at Rainbow Blvd and generally follows 28th Avenue west, turning south after Vista Road and extending south along 20th Street to Southern Boulevard – a distance of approximately seven (7) miles (see Exhibit 1).
WHY IS THE STUDY BEING CONDUCTED?
Planning for PDV has been underway for over 25 years and has been included in the Mid-Region Council of Governments Long Range Roadway System Plan since 2002. This facility was envisioned as a northwest bypass for the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho metropolitan area, and it is intended to connect I-40 west of the Atrisco Vista Interchange with US Highway 550 in north Rio Rancho (see Exhibit 2). Engineering and environmental studies that established the general alignment of PDV were prepared in the late 1990s and culminated in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 2002. The EIS authorized the acquisition of right-of-way (the area needed to construct the roadway) and construction of a 2-lane roadway. The northernmost seven (7) mile segment of PDV from US 550 to Unser Boulevard was constructed starting in 2005. Efforts to acquire the property needed to implement the remainder of the corridor have been underway since that time and about 90% of the property for the PDV extension has been acquired. The current study will identify and evaluate alignments, typical sections (lane and shoulder configuration), and intersection alternatives as well as the need for and location of pedestrian and bicycle facilities within the previously identified corridor.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE FOR THE PDV ROAD EXTENSION?
The purpose of the proposed roadway extension is to improve access to the developed area along 20th Street and provide better connections to the east-west streets extending into this area. The existing transportation system includes two east-west arterial streets (Southern Blvd. and Northern Blvd.) that extend west of Rio Rancho into the unincorporated lands of Sandoval County. No continuously paved and improved north-south streets exist west of Unser Blvd., which is over 4 miles from the developing areas. Existing access to the developed communities along 20th Street is provided by unpaved dirt roads, some of which are difficult to navigate during inclement weather (Exhibit 3). PDV will provide an efficient connection to Southern Blvd. and Northern Blvd. and will improve access to jobs, schools, and services in Rio Rancho. It will also improve access for police, fire, and emergency medical services and provide a route usable by school buses.
WORK UNDERWAY BETWEEN UNSER BLVD AND RAINBOW BLVD
Sandoval County is currently developing the design plans for the extension of PDV between Unser Boulevard and Rainbow Boulevard. Sandoval County is the local lead following the NMDOT Tribal/Local Public Agency Procedures with funding authorized for both design and construction under Control Number A301911.
Exhibit 3. View along 20th Street NW within the Study Area.
County
Sandoval
District
District 3
Funding Control Number
Status
Study and Design
Contact
Luke Smith, PE
NMDOT Central Region Design
505-373-7411
STAY CONNECTED
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITES
Activities to inform and engage the public and local agencies in decisions are planned and will occur throughout the study and design phases. These activities include a community survey like the one shared in July, discussions with individuals living along the corridor, community meetings, and meetings with local agencies. Notices for these events and the materials will be posted on this webpage.
On August 14, 2024, at the Star Heights Recreation Center
an in-person open house was hosted. The formal comment period ended on September 14th, 2024; however, we welcome comments and questions anytime during the study.
PUBLIC EVENT RESOURCES:
Public Event Flyer (English/Español)
August 2024
Public Open House Boards (English)
August 2024
Public Open House Boards (Español)
August 2024
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, LET US KNOW!
If you need ADA accommodations, language translation, or would like paper copies of materials, please call Tyler Pennington at 505-288-7518 or send an email to PDV@parametrix.com.
Join the Mailing List for the Paseo del Volcan Road Extension Study
Rainbow Blvd. to Southern Blvd., CN A301573
CHECK BACK REGULARLY FOR UPDATES!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Regarding Right-of-Way Acquisition
Question 1. What is right-of-way and why is it needed?
Right-of-way is the land needed to construct public infrastructure such as roadways, trails, drainage facilities, and other similar types of facilities. For a roadway like Paseo del Volcan, it includes the area needed to construct the roadway and any related features such as sidewalks, trails, bridges, intersections with cross streets, bus stops, drainage structures that cross the roadway, fences, and walls, and other roadway elements. In some instances, construction maintenance easements (CME) are also acquired as part of the right-of-way acquisition process. A CME is the area needed to maintain roadway features that extend beyond the right-of-way. An example of a CME is the rock (riprap) placed on arroyo bottoms and banks to prevent erosion and stabilize an arroyo around a bridge or large drainage structure. This riprap may extend beyond the right-of-way and a CME is used to enable future maintenance.
Question 2. How is the area needed for right-of-way determined?
Right-of-way is determined as part of the engineering and environmental studies performed during the roadway planning process. This effort includes a review of existing parcel boundaries and ownership, how access is provided to each parcel, property surveys, and property owner interviews. Property owners are notified when the need to acquire their land is identified. The land needed to construct a roadway includes the area adjacent to the traveled way to enable safe operations. For roadways, this “clear zone” varies depending on the anticipated speed of the roadway and the distance needed to provide a buffer between the roadway and adjacent properties.
Question 3. Why is so much property being acquired if Paseo del Volcan is only a 2-lane roadway?
Planning for Paseo del Volcan assumed a much larger highway than the proposed 2-lanes currently being evaluated. Acquiring all the right-of-way needed today prevents homes and other structures from being constructed if the roadway is widened in the future.
Question 4. If the right-of-way needed for Paseo del Volcan was identified over 20 years ago, why did the County allow homes to be constructed in the planned right-of-way?
The County could not deny building permit requests until the land had been acquired. Unfortunately, due to the high number of parcels to be acquired and limited funding, the acquisition process has spanned many years and resulted in homes being constructed in some areas, in particular near the intersection of Northern Boulevard and 20th Street. The planned right-of-way involves over one thousand parcels of property. Acquisition has been underway for the last 20 years but full funding to purchase the needed property has not been available. This situation limited the number of parcels that could be acquired in any given year. To date, about 90% of the needed property has been acquired.
Question 5. How is the value of my property determined?
Property acquisition follows State law and the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policy if federal funds are being used for the project. In general, a licensed real estate appraiser determines the property value. The appraised value will be the same as the fair cash market value, meaning the same value that could be obtained if it were sold by the owner on the open market. The property value is based on a site inspection to identify factors that could affect its value, as well as the selling price of other comparable properties recently sold in the area. The property owner can accompany the appraiser during an inspection and point out any unusual or hidden features that may affect value. The appraiser does not consider an increase or decrease in the value of your property that results from the highway project itself. Based on a review of the appraisals, the NMDOT will establish the amount it believes to be the just compensation to be offered for the property. Additional information about the right-of-way acquisition process can be found at this link Right-of-Way Brochure. A version in Spanish is available at Right-of-Way Brochure in Spanish.
Question 6. What if I disagree with the appraised value?
After the appraisal is complete, the NMDOT must promptly make a written offer to purchase the property for the amount determined to be just compensation. The offer will include an explanation of how the value was determined. Property owners have the right to obtain their own appraisal.
If an agreement between NMDOT and the property owner cannot be reached, the NMDOT will provide written notice of their intent to file a condemnation action. After the notice of intent to pursue a condemnation action, the property owner has 25 days to request a separate appraisal by three different appraisers, one who represents the NMDOT, one to represent the property owner, and a third appraiser selected by the other two appraisers.
Question 7. If my home is acquired, how am I compensated for the cost to find a new home and move?
If the property acquired includes a home or other structures and improvements, the value of these improvements is included in the appraisal. The rules guiding relocations are lengthy and have numerous conditions. In general, persons displaced from their homes must have decent, safe, and sanitary (DSS) housing made available to them and the costs of moving are reimbursed. Further information about the rules NMDOT follows for relocations can be found at this link Relocation Assistance Brochure.
Paseo del Volcan Road Extension Study
Study Timeline
Spring 2024
- Conduct data collection and analysis
- Prepare drainage conditions assessment
Summer 2024
- PUBLIC EVENT #1- Community Survey (July)
- Identify and screen preliminary alternatives
- Conduct cultural and biological resources surveys
- PUBLIC EVENT #2- Open House (August)
Fall 2024
- Conduct detailed evaluation of alternatives
- Analyze environmental resources
- Identify recommended alternative(s)
- PUBLIC EVENT #3
Winter 2024/2025
- Select preferred alternative(s)
- Complete PDV Roadway Extension Study
Spring 2025
- Prepare preliminary roadway design
- Complete environmental documentation