Heavy rain this week created a sinkhole that collapsed a section of road on the north side of a Valencia County bridge, prompting the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) to shut the road as a safety precaution. Residents who travel the route daily now face detours that are four to five times longer than the normal commute.
Local impact and resident concerns
Long‑time resident Charles Romero, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years, stopped by the site to watch the damage. “I’ve been here 50‑plus years, and I can’t believe it. Water will do strange things, man,” he said. Others echoed his frustration, noting that the closure is straining both time and money. “It’s going to be tough, especially with the price of gas,” one commuter, identified only as Siegman, added.
Official response and next steps
State Sen. Josh Sanchez met with NMDOT officials and local leaders to evaluate the situation. “We’re in the evaluation stage. We’re trying to get a camera on site to run it through the two culverts and see what the damage is,” Sanchez explained. He described the collapse as extending from the guardrail up to the bridge, with the sinkhole eating under the asphalt and creating a hole just west of the structure.
Sanchez said the department is preparing to deploy additional equipment, but the timeline for reopening remains uncertain. “Right now we do have a big collapse here on the north side, and it is all the way up to the guardrail. It has eaten under the bridge,” he said. “We are on standby until we determine the intensity of the collapse.”
Traffic congestion and longer commutes
Commuters report that trips that normally take 10‑15 minutes now exceed an hour, with traffic snarling on nearby Highway 47. “All the traffic going on, especially last night on 47. It was a big mess last night. So it’s going to get worse,” Romero warned.
The extended detours have also increased congestion on alternate routes, prompting local officials to advise drivers to plan extra travel time and to follow posted signage.
What residents can do
Authorities recommend that drivers avoid the closed segment altogether until repairs are completed. Residents should use the posted detour routes, stay alert for changing traffic patterns, and monitor local news outlets for updates on the repair schedule.
In the meantime, NMDOT is working with engineering crews to assess the structural integrity of the bridge and surrounding culverts. Once a full evaluation is complete, the department will issue a timeline for reopening the road and restoring normal traffic flow.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
