New Mexico Department of Transportation: I-25 Montgomery Interchange Aesthetic Enhancements

The New Mexico Department of Transportation is seeking an artist or artist team to advise and provide specific recommendations on the aesthetic treatment of the I-25 and Montgomery Interchange to be reconstructed in Albuquerque, NM. This project is on the mainline of I-25 in north Albuquerque and serves as a gateway to the Montano commercial area and river crossing of the Rio Grande to the west and the Montgomery commercial and residential areas to the east. The project will address reconstruction and capacity needs of the interchange and adjacent frontage roads for the next 20 years while providing an aesthetic experience for the estimated 94,000 trips by the traveling public that pass through the area daily.

Surfaces to be addressed may include bridge abutments, railings, project retaining walls, and pedestrian fencing. Treatments may be expressed through color, texture, and unique repeating concrete form liners for vertical surfaces and metallic shapes for fencing. Subtle lighting treatments may be considered if they do not cause a distraction to drivers and the local government agency agrees to pay for power, maintenance and repairs/replacement. Treatments will address the cultural and natural resource qualities of this northern part of Albuquerque, and comprise a holistic aesthetic 'look' for the interchange without providing a distraction to the traveling public. Among prominent local natural resource themes are the Sandia Mountains, the West Mesa, and the Rio Grande Bosque. Among local cultural themes are the balloon fiesta park neighborhood, general Southwestern motifs, and transportation.

Applicants must be New Mexico residents at the time of submittal and during the aesthetic treatment development. The Local Selection Committee will select five semi-finalists and conduct interviews before selecting a finalist. An honorarium of $500 will be paid to each participating semi-finalist who must appear in person to meet with the LSC. The selected artist will be compensated as an independent contractor by HDR: $10,000 for draft alternatives for presentation to the public and $11,500 for the final design. Selection criteria include the qualifications of the artist(s), attractiveness and potential of artwork/aesthetic design, artistic merit and superior caliber of craftsmanship, degree to which the artwork fits within the context of the surrounding area, uniqueness and presentation of a distinctive visual image, and use of themes that align with the public's preferences. Maintainability and constructability of proposed features will be important evaluation criteria.

Submissions must include 3 to 10 images of previously completed work, a written letter of interest addressing the needs of the project and the artist's professional qualifications, a current chronological resume or curriculum vitae demonstrating relevant work experience particularly in public art or privately funded commission projects, and an annotated image list containing title, media, dimensions, year of completion, project description, budget, and commissioning agency. All materials must be submitted in digital format. The initial submission should not be a site-specific concept. Semi-finalists will be expected to submit a sample drawing or rendering relevant to the project. At least one public involvement meeting will be required as part of the design process. Questions should be directed to Danton Bean at (505) 830-5412 or [email protected].