Project Overview

The Allison Corridor from NM 118 to Kachina Road (Allison Corridor/Project) in McKinley County, New Mexico is sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.  The current Project is a multi-phase undertaking consisting of the reconstruction and extension of the Allison Road corridor from NM 118 to Kachina Road (Map Overview). It is based on the previous Phase A Initial Evaluation of Alternatives and Phase B Detailed Evaluation of Alternatives studies and an environmental assessment (EA) that were conducted between 2010 and 2013.  Since the approval of the Phase A and Phase B reports and EA, construction of the first phase, the replacement of the existing Rio Puerco Bridge, was completed in 2018. The current Project is a continuation of the overall Allison Corridor improvements and consists of the following Parts (Project Phasing Figure).

• Part A – Bridge over the BSNF Railway and NM 118 
• Part B – I-40 Overpass
• Part C – Allison Road Connection to Acoma Street and Maloney Avenue
• Part D – Allison Road Connection to Kachina Road
• Part E – Construction of an Interchange at Allison Road/I-40 (not part of the current Project)

The purpose of the Project is to mitigate existing geometric, physical, and operational deficiencies; improve safety; and provide system connectivity to the NMDOT and City transportation network in a way that is compatible with long-range local and regional planning and economic development goals. Consideration of the purpose and need include the following:

• Regional Mobility: The Project has the potential to provide significant improvements to regional mobility, which would be achieved when the corridor is connected to Kachina Road, Acoma Street, and Maloney Avenue and ultimately to an interchange with I-40. The Project will directly impact overall system connectivity between the north and south sides of Gallup.
• Congestion: The Allison Corridor will provide a parallel, alternative route to US 491, which is highly congested at times, particularly at the US 491/NM 602/I-40 Interchange.
• Safety: The Project will improve traffic operations and safety at the intersection of NM 118 and Allison Road and the crossing of the BNSF Railway. As an alternative to the US 491/NM 602 corridor, the Project will enhance potential response time for emergency services.
• Multimodal Accessibility: The Allison Corridor provides an opportunity to design safe multimodal facilities for north-south travel. Enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities will provide Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, and help to address issues such as obesity, diabetes, and other health concerns related to a lack of physical activity.
• Economic Development: The City of Gallup Growth Management Master Plan Update identifies a significant amount of developable land between I-40 and NM 118. The plan states that the Allison Corridor with its close proximity to the BNSF Railway makes these lands attractive for trucking, storage, and manufacturing facilities, which could provide much needed jobs and economic development within the City.

Funding for the Project is programmed in the NMDOT Statewide Transportation Improvement Program under Control Numbers 6101371, 6101372, 6101373, 6101374, and 6101375 with $6 million of state monies. The currently funded Project will consist of the following scope of work.

Part A: Grade Separated Bridge Crossing over the BSNF Railroad and NM 118

The construction of a grade separation of Allison Road over the BNSF tracks and NM 118 from approximately Barbara Avenue to the newly constructed Allison/Rio Puerco Bridge will involve design of a new north-south structure that can carry two or four lanes, depending on future traffic forecasts. The design will include the bridge and additional features such as sidewalks and lighting. The Project will define right-of-way needs for a four-lane bridge. The existing at-grade railroad crossing will be removed and coordination with BNSF and other agencies will be required. The scope of work for Part A includes 60-percent, 90-percent, and final design plans; environmental documentation for right-of-way acquisition and construction; complete right-of-way maps and acquisition; and construction of the Part A bridge and connection to the new Rio Puerco bridge on Allison Road (BNSF Rendering).

Part B: Interstate 40 Overpass 

Part B will require a bridge selection report and design of an overpass of Allison Road over I 40 , with either two or four lanes and right-of-way for a future four-lane roadway. Temporary connections will be needed to the community of Allison and Maloney Avenue. The scope of work includes 60-percent design plans, environmental documentation for right-of-way acquisition, and complete right-of-way maps and acquisition.

Part C: Roadway Connection to Acoma Street and Maloney Avenue

Part C will involve design of either two or four lanes with provision of right-of-way for a four-lane roadway from the north end of the I-40 overpass to connect to the realignment of existing Maloney Avenue and Acoma Street. The scope of work for Part C includes 60-percent design plans, environmental documentation for right-of-way acquisition, and complete right-of-way maps and acquisition.

Part D: Roadway Connection to Kachina Road

Part D will involve design of the new Allison Road connection to Kachina Road at Morello Avenue. The new alignment of Allison Road will include either two or four lanes with right-of-way for four-lanes. Provisions may also be made for a connection to Carbon Basin Road to help enhance the regional transportation network. The scope of work for Part D includes 60-percent design plans, environmental documentation for right-of-way acquisition, and complete right-of-way maps and acquisition.

Part E: Construction of an Interchange at I-40 

Part E is not part of the current Project since an interchange is not warranted within 20 years, but it is still part of the long-term planning for the corridor (Interchange rendering).