Mesa del Sol "Planned" Community (Albuquerque, Los Lunas: new home, employment)

[mikus]

37,000 new homes for 100,000 residents, 23,000 new jobs south of the airport or "sun" port. I wonder what the area will look like in 10-20 years. I hope they are planning on widening I-25 around gibson, sunport, and rio bravo roads all the way south to the hwy 47 exit to Bosque farms, eventually I picture that intersecion like the Big I. From Belen all the way to Santa fe should be 3 lanes each way...WOW!! with all the problems caused by traffic and growth on the westside/rio rancho area, and the continued growth of the southern metro area, ABQ is in for more traffic headaches !! I think that as Mesa del Sol gets going, it will trigger a faster growth rate for Belen/Los Lunas area. What do YOU think??

www.mesadelsolnm.com

[observe]

Originally Posted by mikus

37,000 new homes for 100,000 residents, 23,000 new jobs south of the airport or "sun" port. I wonder what the area will look like in 10-20 years. I hope they are planning on widening I-25 around gibson, sunport, and rio bravo roads all the way south to the hwy 47 exit to Bosque farms, eventually I picture that intersecion like the Big I. From Belen all the way to Santa fe should be 3 lanes each way...WOW!! with all the problems caused by traffic and growth on the westside/rio rancho area, and the continued growth of the southern metro area, ABQ is in for more traffic headaches !! I think that as Mesa del Sol gets going, it will trigger a faster growth rate for Belen/Los Lunas area. What do YOU think??

www.mesadelsolnm.com

Your right mikus, the area is going to become a magnet for development. Forest City is a good developer and will attract lots of buisenesses and companies. The Albuquerque metro area is setting itself up for some major growth in the coming years, the Metro area population is expected to grow by 40% in the next 20 years with an estimated metro population of 1.2 million by 2020. Albuquerque is going to be a major player in the Southwest joining the likes of Pheonix & Denver.

[councilor j]

I would like to see them add new busineeses to Albq that we dont already have,but I think its a really good idea they do something with that space.

[Zoidberg]

Mesa Del Sol is already bringing new businesses in that aren't already here, including movie studios and solar cell fab. In fact, that's all that's currently out there.

Back to the original post, I feel like traffic is getting heavier citywide these past couple of years (like 25% heavier). Although growth is somewhat inevitable for a healthy economy as we know it, I'd sure like it if new growth would keep its traffic in new areas and even reduce traffic in existing areas, but this never seems to be the case.

[Six Foot Three]

I just heard on KKOB 770 this morning that construction will be starting soon on the new I-25 interchange at Mesa Del Sol about 3 miles south of Rio Bravo exit. Thats great along with all the new employers announcing last week that are relocating out there along with the new housing to break ground in March.

Rep Heather Wison just secured 10 million more to start the Interchange. Way to go Heather !!
Congresswoman Heather Wilson (http://wilson.house.gov/Releases.aspx?ID=1570 - broken link)

[abqsunport]

Another nice post 6/3, however apparently I must "spread some rep" before I can give some more to you. Oh well!


Indeed, another good job Heather!

[Merlander]

Does anyone know what kind of an interchange they are planning? Sure hope it's a "cloverleaf" - that type really keeps traffic moving, which MDS will be needing long term.

[Zoidberg]

According to the master plan, looks like a standard diamond interchange. Cloverleafs have been out of vogue since the 1980's.

[Merlander]

Originally Posted by Zoidberg

According to the master plan, looks like a standard diamond interchange. Cloverleafs have been out of vogue since the 1980's.

Ha, ha. I must be showing my age...

There's a mixed-use development in N. Virg. called Cascades. The county req'd them to put in a cloverleaf [mid 90's?] because of the size. They're the only interchange along that Rt. 7 corridor that doesn't get horrifically backed up during rush hour.

Anyway thanks for the info Zoidberg. I hope MDS diamond interchange doesn't turn into an I-25/Paseo nightmare.

[Six Foot Three]

Thought id post this article on the ABQ Tribune about the developers of Mesa Del Sol say its booming out there and what to expect in construction and employment out there this coming year.

Mesa del Sol developers say growth is exceeding expectations : Local : Albuquerque Tribune