The
Louisiana Boulevard and Interstate 40 Interchange was constructed
in the early 1960’s and
serves Uptown Area of Albuquerque. The existing interchange
was experiencing structural deficiencies and the ramp geometry
no longer accommodated the traffic volumes. The traffic
volume and traffic signals at the ramp and nearby were creating
intolerable congestion.
In order
to safely and efficiently carry the estimated future volumes
of traffic and accommodate future widening of the
interstate a Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) concept
was utilized to bring all four of the interchange on-and-off
ramps into a single intersection under the control of one
traffic signal on the bridge deck. The concept eliminated
the need for additional signals, reduced congestion, and
improved air quality.
The project
also addressed other modes of transportation. A new grade-separated
crossing under the interchange and
a new bike path extension were designed and constructed
as part of the project. Noise mitigation was also analyzed
and
addressed as part of the design and as a result over 3,600
feet of noise walls were designed and placed to shield
residential areas and the adjacent city park.
The final
bridge design spanned a length of 270 feet and 200 feet
wide and is very appealing to the eye. The exposed
aggregate walls, the desert climate landscaping and high
rich desert colored Mechanical Stabilized Earth walls all
blend together to minimize the intrusion of the interchange
on the area. |
