Albuquerque drivers should get ready for a longer commute: starting Sunday at 10 p.m., a stretch of I-25 near Montgomery Boulevard will close so crews can build a new southbound on-ramp, and a frontage road will also be shut for almost two months while work proceeds in Albuquerque, N.M.
Officials say the work is aimed at improving access to I-25 by replacing the current connection with a new on-ramp designed to move traffic more smoothly. Construction crews will take over the southbound Montgomery Boulevard on-ramp and a section of the adjacent frontage road, which means drivers who normally use that entry will need to choose alternate ways onto the interstate. The closure is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. on Sunday and continue for about eight weeks, so plan accordingly.
The timing is meant to keep the heavy lifting out of the worst of the daytime commute, but the longer-term disruption is unavoidable. Peak-hour traffic will feel the pinch as vehicles reroute to other ramps and surface streets, creating new pressure points along nearby corridors. Expect backups during morning and evening rush as the network adapts to having one access point offline.
If you routinely take that on-ramp, give yourself extra travel time and scout alternate entries to I-25 before Monday morning. Local drivers will be best served by choosing nearby ramps and avoiding the frontage road where crews will be working, but don’t assume one detour will work every day. Traffic patterns tend to shift in the first few weeks of a closure, so keep an eye on real-time navigation and leave earlier than usual until things settle down.
Freight and commercial drivers should factor the closure into route planning too, because delays can cascade through delivery windows. Those moving through the area overnight may see fewer restrictions, but daytime work zones can cut speeds and change lane assignments. Construction zones are also where fines and penalties are often enforced more strictly, so drive cautiously and follow posted signs near work areas.
Commuters who rely on bus service should check for adjustments to local transit schedules, since stops and routes near the work zone could move or be temporarily rerouted. Walking and biking access around the site may also be altered for safety, which could affect last-mile connections to transit. If you carpool, keep your group updated and consider shifting pickup points to streets outside the immediate construction area.
The project team will likely put up clear signage and barriers to guide traffic around the work zone, and temporary traffic signals or flaggers could appear at busy intersections. Lane patterns often change several times during a multiweek project, so expect short-term reconfigurations as curbs, shoulders, and ramp approaches are rebuilt. Those lane shifts are part of the plan to keep the work moving while minimizing the window of full closures whenever possible.
Construction season means noise and work lighting in the evenings and early mornings, and nearby residents may notice increased activity as crews push to meet the schedule. Property owners along the frontage road might see altered access for a while, including temporary drive closures or alternate entry points. If you live or work close to Montgomery Boulevard, plan for a different rhythm to traffic and deliveries through the period.
When the new on-ramp opens, the goal is smoother merges and better flow onto southbound I-25, which should ease congestion over time and reduce choke points at the current ramp alignment. Until then, the best approach for drivers is to plan, be patient, and follow posted detours. Small adjustments now can save a lot of time and stress over the next few weeks as the work wraps up.
