Bernalillo County commissioners have approved more than $1.5 million to replace a flood-damaged pedestrian bridge in Tijeras and repair a watershed restoration project hit by storms earlier this year.
The county will spend $1.29 million to construct a new bridge connecting the Los Vecinos Community Center to A. Montoya Elementary and Roosevelt Middle schools. The structure, used daily by students accessing programs at Los Vecinos Community Center, was damaged beyond repair during flooding in July.
Structural engineers determined the old bridge needed to be demolished and replaced, according to the county. The previous bridge was torn down in October at a cost of $386,000, which also covered design work for the replacement.
Design on the new bridge is expected to be completed in February, with construction slated for next summer. The project should be finished by summer 2026.
Commissioners approved the funding at their Nov. 18 meeting.
The county also allocated $799,656 for repairs to the Tijeras Creek Watershed Restoration Project, which sustained damage from floods in July and September. The project aims to restore natural drainage by reconnecting the creek with the floodplain and reducing flood risks for downstream residents.
Work on the watershed project resumed in October and is about 80% complete, according to county officials. The repairs are expected to be finished by March 2026.
The bridge funding comes from the county’s general fund, while the watershed repairs will be paid through Environmental Service Gross Receipts Tax revenue and general fund reserves.