Downtown Bernalillo Station Crossing and Trail Safety Improvements

Recognizing the opportunity for transit-oriented development presented by the Town of Bernalillo’s Downtown Rail Runner Station, the town began implementing its plan to create a vibrant, livable, and walkable neighborhood with the station at its center. Creating the pedestrian facilities integral to the Town’s vision required special attention given the proximity to passenger, commuter, and freight rail lines.

PHASE I: Working with the design engineer, CobbFendley’s survey team collected topographic information and directed right-of-way surveys to both determine the best placement for the planned pedestrian trail and identify parcel owners. Using right-of-way maps and patent surveys from the US General Land Office and Bureau of Land Management, the CobbFendley team retraced parcel boundaries and conducted extensive research to identify parcel owners omitted from the County Assessor’s records. Once right-of-way ownership determinations were made, the team prepared exhibits for use of the trail within NMDOT and BNSF Rights-of-Way.

CobbFendley provided SUE Levels D and B services to identify and designate underground utilities within the project area. Once utilities were identified, engineers developed a conflict analysis to determine the extent to which the new pedestrian improvements would impact existing utilities and made recommendations for test hole locations. Our utility specialists assisted the design engineer and NMDOT with obtaining the required Certification Documentation and organized meetings with utility owners at different stages in the design process.

PHASE II: The second phase of this project includes additional pedestrian facilities, adding a multi-use trail and pedestrian crossing near the station. Building on our Phase I efforts, CobbFendley’s SUE and ROW teams are supporting design of this effort with vacuum excavation services and acquisition of parcels impacted by the proposed trail.