NM 109 grade separation project earns New Mexico award

The NM 109 grade separation project brought recognition to BNSF Railway and the New Mexico Department of Transportation. Also, the work was completed a year ago on Jarales Road near Albuquerque, New Mexico. As reported by Progressive Railroading, the project included a new bridge over rail tracks. In addition, it realigned more than half a mile of state highway.

NM 109 grade separation project near Albuquerque

BNSF said in a social media post yesterday that the New Mexico 109 Jarales Road Grade Separation Project removed a busy crossing south of the city. Meanwhile, the railway said the corridor carried more than 1,700 vehicles a day. At the same time, it crossed three sets of tracks. Also, nearly 90 trains used those tracks each day.

Rail overpass and highway realignment

According to the NMDOT project page, vehicles on NM 109 experienced delays throughout the day as trains crossed the highway. For example, some trains were as long as 2 miles. Still, the project cost about $33.2 million.

Award for BNSF Railway and New Mexico DOT

BNSF officials said the completed overpass transformed mobility and safety for the region. Separately, Wilson & Co. designed the project. Also, it recently won the 2026 New Mexico American Council of Engineering Companies’ Transportation Project of the Year. In addition, construction began in 2023.

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