ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A major infrastructure project aimed at enhancing walkability and tourism in Albuquerque is taking shape, as progress continues on the city’s ambitious seven-mile Rail Trail. The multi-use path, designed to connect Old Town, downtown, and the Bosque, has been in planning for more than 10 years and is now becoming a reality.
The city is currently constructing two active sections of the trail. One is in the Sawmill District near Bellamah Avenue and 19th Street, where a roughly quarter-mile segment is nearing completion. This stretch will soon link the popular Sawmill Market with Old Town and eventually connect to the Wells Park neighborhood and the Bosque Trail.
“This is the first actual portion of the trail we’re finishing, and it sets the tone for the rest of the project,” said Terry Brunner, Director of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency. “We want people to get excited, experience it, and support completing the entire trail.”
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The city has allocated approximately $4.8 million for this Sawmill segment. The area features new concrete paths, solar-powered lights, bike racks, benches, and repurposed rail elements embedded in the sidewalks to honor the region’s historic railway roots. Additionally, a roundabout is planned near the museums at 19th and Mountain to ease traffic in that area.
The second active construction site is at the Central Avenue and First Street rail crossing downtown. Crews are dismantling part of the existing overpass and installing new infrastructure to create a more walkable and bike-friendly path over the train tracks. An interactive lighting installation called the “Neon Tumbleweed” is also being finalized and is expected to glow at night, adding an artistic flair to the downtown landscape.
“It’ll be a destination—people can stand above Central Avenue with incredible views of the Sandia Mountains to the east and the volcanoes to the west,” said Brunner. “We’re creating something unique and visually stunning.”
This downtown crossing segment is estimated at $10 million and is intended to enhance east-west connectivity in the heart of the city. The Sawmill segment is scheduled to be completed by October 2025, while the downtown portion is projected to wrap up in spring 2026.
Looking ahead, the city is already designing the next phase, which will extend the trail past the ABQ BioPark and along streets in Old Town. Overall, the full Rail Trail is expected to cost $70 million and will be developed in phases as funding becomes available.
“This project is about more than just recreation—it’s about breathing new life into our urban core and giving residents and visitors a memorable way to experience Albuquerque,” Brunner added.
