The new southbound lanes on NM 528, from just north of Northern Boulevard to Ridgecrest Drive, opened to traffic March 19. Here’s a photo taken Tuesday morning, with the new 10-feet-wide sidewalk visible at left, making pedestrians feel safer as they walk along the west side of the highway. The project is now in Phase 2A, with work being done on the median. Crews will continue to install storm drain pipe and drop inlets off Frontage Road, with traffic still detoured around Industrial Park Loop, allowing access to the northern businesses on the east Frontage Road. The anticipated completion date is Dec. 28, according to Kimberly Gallegos, with the state Department of Transportation, overseeing the $26.8 million project. Gary Herron / Observer