After decades of delays and public debate, Corrales residents will soon see major safety and accessibility improvements on Meadowlark Lane. The next phase of the upper Meadowlark Lane project is finally one step closer to becoming a reality.
“It’s got a problematic history, and so now we’re going to finish it,†Ron Curry, village administrator, said at the Sept. 24 council meeting. “It’s going to be a safer road, it’s going to be a road that’s protected by the curbs and it’s going to give access on either side for pedestrians.â€
Initially proposed in the 1990s, the Meadowlark Lane project has undergone years of discussion, scrutiny and planning. The project aims to add bike and pedestrian paths, concrete curbs and improved drainage systems to address long-standing safety and wear concerns. However, these proposed upgrades faced repeated delays due to funding issues, design changes and resident concerns.
In 2010, the Mid-Region Council of Governments allocated $160,000 to create a bike trail on Upper Meadowlark, linking Corrales and Rio Rancho. But the Village Council unanimously rejected the funds the following year, citing resident concerns that the amount was insufficient to address potential stormwater drainage issues.
In 2019, the village signed an estimated $1 million construction contract with TLC and Blackrock Services LLC for the first phase of road construction. The project was stopped twice due to bookkeeping discrepancies and the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s suggestion to halt construction, according to Curry.
At a Meadowlark informational meeting Aug. 20, Curry said that after the first phase of construction was completed in early 2020, the village found the company had not adhered to the contract’s “Buy American†and “Build American†requirements in certain areas of the road.
According to Curry, TLC then invoiced the Village $1.6 million — 50% over the original contract. The Village disputed it, and Curry refused to sign off on the completion of the road work due to noncompliance. The refusal resulted in a lawsuit, in which the village prevailed. As a result, Corrales only paid $960,000, which was below the initial contract amount.
Following the litigation, Corrales secured $750,000 in legislative funding to complete the next phase of the project.
In a Mayor’s Message sent Sept. 15, 2023, Mayor James Fahey shared that he, along with Steve Grollman, the village engineer, and Curry inspected West Meadowlark Lane. Together, they formulated a strategy to enhance both sides of the road while ensuring that homeowners would not be negatively affected.
During an Aug. 20 Meadowlark informational meeting, Fahey said the proposed improvements would include installing concrete curbs on both sides of the road to protect the asphalt and direct stormwater downstream.
A 5-foot-wide asphalt “pedestrian access route†will be constructed along the north side from Loma Larga to Rio Rancho, preserving slopes next to private properties. Before proceeding, the village is awaiting final agreements with the state Department of Transportation.
The south side of the road will feature gravel topped with crusher fines, extending to private property walls. This path is designed for equestrians, cyclists and pedestrians preferring an alternative to the asphalt pathway.
Public Works will oversee the maintenance of the pedestrian access route, handling regular cleaning and repairs.
Existing driveways will be preserved with header curbs for smooth transitions to the road surface, while wider driveways will have dropped curbs for easier vehicle access.
The village will reinforce the steep slope with gabions — wire mesh cages filled with rocks — to prevent erosion and apply chipped wood mulch for improved soil quality.
At the Meadowlark informational meeting, residents raised concerns about congestion and speeding due to drivers using the road as a village cut-through. The project does not include traffic-calming measures to directly address these issues.
Why not just leave it alone it is fine the way it is why spend all that money on such a stupid idea . living is fine on Ashley lane except for water collection at Ashley & Loma Larga intersection just install larger drain culvert @ intersection & add asphalt for proper slope North & South at all needed intersecting roads along complete stretch of proposed project. Larry Swank .