New Mexico State Road 347 (NM 347) is a partially completed highway in New Mexico. It currently runs along Paseo del Volcan between Unser Boulevard and US-550 in Rio Rancho for 7.1 miles. NM-347 is planned to stretch around Rio Rancho and back into Albuquerque to connect with Interstate 40, providing full access for the far west side of the Albuquerque metro.
Currently a 2-lane road, NM 347 right-of-way is 150 feet wide to accommodate expansion to a freeway, should future growth and traffic demand necessitate the construction of a freeway along the Paseo del Volcan corridor.
History An environmental impact statement for the Paseo del Volcan project was approved in August 2001 by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Phase 1 of the project, a segment between Unser Blvd. and Iris Road was completed in October 2006. The road was designated as State Road 347 between I-40 and US 550 in August 2010. The Phase 2 extension eastward to US 550 was opened to traffic in February 2011. Land acquisition is currently in progress for a further extension westward from Unser Blvd. to Rainbow Blvd. In July 2011, a street west of Albuquerque also known as Paseo del Volcan was renamed Atrisco Vista Blvd. to avoid a naming conflict. Atrisco Vista Blvd. intersects I-40 at Exit 149 only east of the proposed interchange with NM 347. Interchange construction at I-40 will be Phase 3 of the project and awaits acquisition of individual private parcels along the Interstate.
Long-range planning anticipates the roadway requiring up to five additional lanes by 2035. Extending the road to link to I-25 on both the north and south ends to create a western bypass in metropolitan Albuquerque is also being planned.
Major intersections The following only represents the roadway as completed and open to traffic.
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