Overnight Interstate 25 Closures in Albuquerque for Bridge Construction

Two-night shutdown at Montgomery Boulevard to allow for massive steel beam placement

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:49am

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An abstract, blurred image of a vehicle moving rapidly on a highway, conveying the sense of speed and disruption caused by the interstate closure.The temporary closure of Interstate 25 in Albuquerque will create a chaotic scene of traffic disruption as crews work to install massive steel beams for a new bridge.Albuquerque Today

Interstate 25 in Albuquerque will be completely closed for two consecutive nights at the Montgomery Boulevard exit as part of a major project to widen the freeway and construct a new bridge. The closures, which will run from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., are necessary to allow crews to safely place 12 steel beams weighing up to 83 tons each and spanning 168 feet.

Why it matters

This level of disruption to a major interstate highway is sure to impact commuters and travelers, raising questions about whether there could have been a less intrusive approach to the construction project. However, the New Mexico Department of Transportation insists the closures are a necessary step to modernize the state's infrastructure.

The details

During the overnight closures, I-25 will be detoured onto the frontage roads over Montgomery Boulevard before merging back onto the interstate. Montgomery Boulevard itself will also be closed in both directions between Culture Drive and the northbound frontage road. Drivers are encouraged to use alternative routes like Comanche or Jefferson to bypass the construction zone.

  • The closures will begin on Tuesday night, January 27, and continue into Wednesday night.
  • The interstate will be shut down from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night.

The players

New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT)

The state agency overseeing the Interstate 25 construction project and bridge replacement in Albuquerque.

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What’s next

The closures are part of an ongoing series of bridge construction projects along Interstate 25 in Albuquerque.

The takeaway

While the overnight interstate closures will undoubtedly cause disruption for drivers, the New Mexico Department of Transportation maintains that this level of disruption is necessary to facilitate the placement of massive steel beams required for the new bridge construction. The project is part of a broader effort to modernize the state's infrastructure, though some may question whether there could have been a less intrusive approach.