Transforming ABQ's I-25 S-Curve

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has launched a comprehensive study to address one of Albuquerque’s most challenging highway segments: the I‑25 S‑Curve between Avenida César Chávez (Exit 223) and Lomas Boulevard (Exit 225). Long recognized for its sharp geometry, heavy traffic, and complex connections to major destinations, the S‑Curve has been a trouble spot for safety and congestion for decades.

The I‑25 S‑Curve Area Study is now in Phase 1B, a pivotal planning stage that looks beyond patchwork fixes. Engineers and planners are evaluating roadway design, traffic operations, and safety countermeasures while meeting the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)—which means environmental and community impacts are part of the decision‑making from the outset. The goal is not simply to move vehicles faster; it’s to deliver a safer, more reliable corridor that respects the neighborhoods and institutions surrounding it.

A Corridor with Regional Importance

Though the project area spans only a couple of miles, its importance to Albuquerque—and New Mexico—cannot be overstated. The S‑Curve passes through the city’s core, providing critical access to:

• University of New Mexico (UNM) and UNM Hospital

• Presbyterian Hospital and adjacent medical campuses

• Major sports and event venues including Isotopes Park and UNM Stadium

• Historic neighborhoods such as Barelas, South Broadway, Silver Hill, Huning Highland, and Martineztown–Santa Barbara

Tens of thousands of daily trips—commuters, patients, students, and visitors—depend on this segment of I‑25. Yet much of its geometry reflects design standards and travel patterns from earlier eras. The current study acknowledges those legacy constraints while seeking modern, context‑sensitive solutions.

Building on Past Work

The S‑Curve effort is coordinated with the I‑25 Gibson Interchange Reconstruction Project, which has moved ahead into environmental documentation and design. Treating these as complementary initiatives helps ensure improvements work together—minimizing bottlenecks at one location only to shift congestion to another.

NMDOT’s phased strategy—assessing corridor segments in sequence, with sustained public involvement—aims to create a resilient, integrated network rather than a set of isolated fixes.

A Safety‑First Approach

For years, high speeds, tight curvature, and limited sight lines have contributed to collisions and close calls in the S‑Curve. The Phase 1B study is analyzing a suite of options that may include:

• Geometric refinements (e.g., modifying curve alignment, superelevation, or lane/channelization)

• Operational upgrades (e.g., ramp, merge, and weave improvements; signal timing and interchange operations at adjacent arterials)

• Multimodal connections to better integrate walking, bicycling, and transit within the study area’s street network

• Incident management improvements to reduce secondary crashes and improve reliability during disruptions

NEPA review ensures that proposed concepts are evaluated not only for mobility and safety, but also for potential environmental, cultural, and social effects. This is particularly important in and around historic neighborhoods where transportation decisions have lasting community impacts.

Community Engagement

Public involvement has been central to the S‑Curve process, with meetings and briefings held in Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and December 2024. Materials are provided in English and Spanish, and residents can contact the team via hotline or email, or subscribe for project updates. Stakeholders—from neighborhood associations to major employers and institutions—are being asked to share lived experience: where crashes occur, where queues form, how event traffic behaves, and where access feels confusing or unsafe.

This steady engagement reflects the project’s setting: a mosaic of communities with deep cultural roots. Any recommended changes must balance the imperative to reduce crashes and improve operations with the equally important need to preserve neighborhood identity and access.

Why It Matters

The S‑Curve is a linchpin of the region’s north–south mobility. Fixing it has benefits that extend far beyond the immediate roadway:

• Fewer crashes and severe injuries through design that calms conflict points and improves driver expectancy

• More reliable travel times for commuters, emergency services, hospital patients, and event traffic

• Better access to jobs, healthcare, and education, strengthening the city’s economic and social fabric

• Context‑sensitive design that respects historic neighborhoods while modernizing critical infrastructure

Importantly, the stated intent is smarter design and operations—not indiscriminate lane‑widening. By focusing on geometry, operations, and targeted spot improvements, the project seeks meaningful safety and reliability gains without undermining adjacent communities.

The Road Ahead

Phase 1B work will continue into late 2025, culminating in a set of recommendations informed by technical analysis and public input. If advanced, subsequent steps would include environmental documentation and design development, followed—pending funding—by construction.

NMDOT encourages residents, commuters, businesses, and institutional partners to remain engaged: attend meetings, review materials, and share feedback. Local knowledge—about crash hot spots, problematic merges, or event‑day patterns—often reveals issues that traffic models alone cannot capture.

Conclusion

Albuquerque’s I‑25 S‑Curve has long been synonymous with white‑knuckle driving, unpredictable delays, and confusing merges. The current Phase 1B study represents the best opportunity in years to transform this segment into a safer, more predictable, and more context‑sensitive corridor. With rigorous engineering, environmental stewardship, and sustained community participation, the S‑Curve can evolve from a liability into an asset—supporting the city’s health, culture, and economy for decades to come.