San Pedro bridge over I-40 closed until further notice

UPDATE: According to NMDOT, the San Pedro bridge will be open by rush hour Wednesday. However, the I-40 lanes are staying closed for at least another day.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The City of Albuquerque closed San Pedro over I-40, both northbound and southbound.

Heavy rain and rushing water Tuesday afternoon caused a large piece of concrete to hit a bridge pier, or support, at San Pedro.

New Mexico Department of Transportation inspectors have to survey the bridge for damage. Officials say they will have to wait for the water to recede before that inspection can happen.

It will remain closed until further notice.

CLOSURES ON I-40

NMDOT has also announced lane closures on I-40 both eastbound and westbound between San Mateo and Louisana Boulevard. The closures are also needed for emergency repairs and safety precautions.

“We were really worried about falling concrete and that’s one of the reasons DOT decided to close down those lanes because we didn’t know what – where the water went and what could’ve happened. Concrete could’ve fallen on cars. And then on the city side of things, it’s our roadway above it, and we didn’t want to cause any complications for that,” said Dan Mayfield, a public information officer for the city’s Department of Municipal Development.

Two left lanes on I-40 eastbound and one left lane on I-40 westbound will be temporarily closed to ensure the safety of motorists.

“We prioritize the safety of our residents and visitors, and as such, we are taking proactive measures to
address the challenges posed by the recent inclement weather. The lane closures are a precautionary
step that allows our skilled maintenance crews to conduct emergency repairs and mitigate any potential
hazards,” NMDOT Secretary Ricky Serna said.

This is a developing story. Stay with KOB 4 Eyewitness News and KOB.com for updates.