Pedestrian bridge construction lagging
Posted at: 12/06/2012 6:58 PM
| Updated at: 12/06/2012 7:02 PM
By: Chris Ramirez, KOB Eyewitness News 4
The pedestrian bridge construction over I-25 near Osuna is behind schedule and over budget, according to a KOB 4 On Your Side Investigation.
The bridge runs over I-25 traffic and will connect bike trails from the east side of Albuquerque to the west.
"This is a key component of our trails and bikeways master plan," said Melissa Lazoya, an engineer with the City of Albuquerque Department of Municipal Development.
The bridge has had a few hiccups causing the project to run past its original July deadline.
"The artwork was not part of the original bid and there are reasons behind that and that has added additional time, about four months to the project," Lazoya said.
That art will be different colored lights that will project on the bridge.
Melissa Lazoya says the city had had some problem ensuring all of the lights custom fit with the bridge. A nearby billboard caused another delay, according to Lazoya.
The City had to move a large billboard to make way for the bridge by removing and replacing the billboard structure.
The delays have forced the City to go over its original budget.
The City intended to spend $3.3 million, but the project is now nearing $5 million.
"The cost that you will see are for the unknown utilities and as far as the manufacturing of the lighting there was more of a cost because we had to change order into the project," Lazoya said.
The City hopes to open the bridge to bicyclists and pedestrians this month. The lighted artwork will be added by February.
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