The final construction phase of the Idalia Road project has ended, as construction crews removed the last few orange barrels and road blocks Tuesday in time for the afternoon rush hour.

The first half of the Idalia Road project, between Iris Road and Camino Encantadas, opened in October.

The Camino Encantadas-to-NM 528 segment opened Tuesday.

The road project was originally scheduled to be finished in October – however, due to weather and utilities concerns, the project was delayed a month.

Mayor Gregg Hull, who spoke at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning, said he was glad to see Idalia open for residents.

“Seeing this roadway improved like this, seeing the way it’s been landscaped, seeing all the sidewalks in, seeing the way this is all starting to take shape is so great and so very exciting,” Hull said.

The project changes include a new two-lane divided roadway, a storm drain system, bike lanes, curb and gutters, sidewalks on both sides of the road and a traffic signal installed at the intersection of Idalia and Camino Encantadas.

The Rio Rancho Governing Body awarded a $7.5 million contract last fall to Franklin’s Earthmoving Inc. for the reconstruction project.

It was funded through a $6.4 million federal grant with a $1.09 million city match from a 2009 voter-approved general obligation bond issue for roads.

 FROM ANTONIO SANCHEZ  |  OBSERVER STAFF WRITER