Tens of thousands of Rio Rancho and Westside commuters who rely on the Unser Boulevard and Paseo del Norte corridor will hear — and feel — the next phase of construction starting Tuesday, as crews begin blasting through the basalt bedrock beneath one of the metro area’s most congested intersections.
Controlled blasting is scheduled to begin April 28 and continue throughout 2026, according to the City of Albuquerque. Blasting will occur approximately once per day, typically in the afternoon, with brief road closures during each detonation window. The city will post advance notice of upcoming blasts at upgradeunserpaseo.com. Exact timing may shift depending on weather, safety requirements and site conditions.
Star Paving Co. has contracted Dykon Blasting Corp. for the drilling and blasting work. Dykon is licensed for explosives use in New Mexico and has completed similar projects across the state. Albuquerque Police Department and Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputies will assist with traffic management during blasting operations.
The blasting marks a new phase in a $62 million project the City of Albuquerque launched in January to widen both corridors from two lanes to four — the largest road construction project in the city’s history. The project is expected to wrap in mid-to-late 2028…