New Mexico State Road 45


New Mexico State Road 45 is a State Highway in the US state of New Mexico that runs parallel to the Rio Grande from the Pueblo of Isleta, through Albuquerque, and to the southern boundary of Rio Rancho.

Route description

NM 45 begins at a junction with NM 314 in the Isleta Village. NM 45 runs north, passing under Interstate 25 and leaving the Isleta Pueblo and entering Albuquerque. Throughout the city, NM 45 is signed as Coors Boulevard, a major north-south expressway on Albuquerque's westside. NM 45 runs along the westside of the South Valley before meeting NM 500 at Rio Bravo Boulevard/Sen. Dennis Chaves Boulevard. NM 45 then continues northwest before meeting Central Avenue. The road continues soon junctions Interstate 40 and continues north before turning northeast to follow the Rio Grande. NM 45 soon meets NM 423 before turning northwest around the Cottonwood Mall, now signed as the Coors Bypass. NM 45 also serves as the southern terminus of NM 448. NM 45 terminates just south of Rio Rancho as it merges into NM 528.

History

Until 2012, the northernmost portion of this route traversed Old Coors Road between Coors Boulevard and Central Avenue. NM 45 has since been realigned to Coors Boulevard and Coors By-Pass and extended north of Central Avenue, replacing the portion of NM 448 between St. Joseph's Drive and Coors By-Pass, and turning over Old Coors Road to local control to be realigned with Yucca Drive.

Major intersections