Farmington Opens Piñon Hills Bridge, New Animas River Crossing

City officials confirmed that the long awaited Piñon Hills Boulevard Extension Bridge will be celebrated with a public ribbon cutting at noon on Tuesday December 16. The announcement, issued on December 11, said access and parking for the event will be limited to County Road 3000 Morningstar Drive. After the ceremony the northbound lanes of the new bridge will open immediately and the southbound lanes will open once crews have cleared the site.

The bridge creates a new crossing of the Animas River designed to relieve congestion on existing corridors and strengthen connections across San Juan County. The extension links NM 516 East Main Street with County Road 390 Wildflower Parkway and County Road 3900, providing an alternate route for commuters, school traffic, and commercial vehicles moving between Farmington and outlying neighborhoods.

City Manager Rob Mayes framed the project as the culmination of decades of planning and intergovernmental collaboration. Discussions with the New Mexico Department of Transportation consolidated multiple planned phases into a single effort, and city officials credited project partners and contractors for completing work through challenging terrain. Mayor Nate Duckett highlighted improved safety and access as central benefits for residents and first responders.

Practical details released by the city ask attendees to arrive via County Road 3000 Morningstar Drive and to use designated parking areas to keep lanes clear for event operations and emergency access. Traffic impacts are expected to be limited to the immediate approach roads during the ribbon cutting, and drivers should plan modest detours if traveling through the area at noon on Tuesday.

Beyond the immediate ceremony the bridge is likely to change daily travel patterns across the northern part of Farmington by offering a more direct crossing of the Animas River. For San Juan County residents the new link promises shorter commutes, improved emergency response access, and expanded options for local commerce and development that depend on reliable regional connectivity.