Lawmakers push ABQ-Rio Rancho highway plans forward Copyright by KRQE - All rights reserved Video

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - It's been talked about for years, but now there's new momentum for a new highway that would connect Albuquerque's west side to Rio Rancho.

The idea is to build a new I-40 interchange for the proposed "Paseo del Volcan" about a mile west of the Atrisco Vista Boulevard exit, then run the road out north and east through Rio Rancho. Now, lawmakers are trying to get the money and the land to do it.

Could it finally be a faster connection between Rio Rancho and Albuquerque? Lots of drivers have wanted it, but for years, the proposed four-lane freeway called "Paseo del Volcan" now dead-ends near the Santa Ana Star Center. However, that could change soon.

"We just need to finish the job," said Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis.

Lewis represents much of Albuquerque's west side. He says he and all the government agencies involved including the New Mexico Department of Transportation, the City of Albuquerque and the City of Rio Rancho are closer than ever now in reaching a plan to pave the entire "Paseo del Volcan" highway between Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

The consultants hired by the City of Albuquerque just finished an economic impact report on the planned highway. They also have a new three-phased approach to build it.

"Right now there are agreements being made on the dedication of right of ways, millions of dollars of right of ways that are being given to the Department of Transportation," said Lewis. According to the city of Albuquerque's website, NMDOT has also set about $4-million dollars to purchase right-of-way necessary to build the northern end of the road.

The 22-mile unpaved stretch would be four-lanes from a new interchange at I-40 near Atrisco Vista Boulevard. The road would then head north over the mesa, then east out to the Rio Rancho city center. An eight mile stretch of Paseo del Volcan is already paved from the intersection with Unser out east to Highway 550 in Bernalillo.

Right now, the project is estimated to cost a total of $96 million. So far though, only a fraction of the money needed to build it has been set aside. In the 2013 city bond cycle, $800,000 was set aside for the "Paseo del Volcan / I-40 Interchange" portion of the project.

"Certainly we're going to depend on the federal delegation to help us with this highway fund ultimately, to help us complete this roadway," said Lewis.

Support for the project is also coming from business advocates in Rio Rancho.

"Connectivity means jobs in my books," said Debbi Moore, president of the Rio Rancho Area Chamber of Commerce. Moore says the road could help bring a significant number of new jobs on the west-side of the metro-area.

"It would really benefit us and it's a huge opportunity to for economic development," said Moore.

KRQE News 13 asked Councilor Lewis on Wednesday when he thinks the complete Paseo del Volcan could be finished. He says there's no timeline yet, but thinks the project could be very similar to the Paseo del Norte interchange. Lewis says that project went from a virtual dream to a reality in about two years.

The City of Albuquerque is also making the Paseo del Volcan project one of its "top priorities" for funding at the upcoming New Mexico legislative session.