Getting to “downtown” may soon become easier.

That’s because the city is working on extending Paseo del Volcan from Iris to U.S. 550. It will give travelers a more direct route to the area that currently hosts City Hall, Santa Ana Star Center and, eventually, Central New Mexico Community College, the University of New Mexico and Hewlett-Packard.

Currently Paseo del Volcan is 3.9 miles long, running between Unser Boulevard and Iris Road. There is no current direct route from US 550 to “downtown.” Those wishing to take paved roads must take US 550 to NM 528, turn right on Idalia, right on Iris and left onto Paseo del Volcan. Another way is to take the Northwest Corridor to Unser and make a right on Main Street.

The plan is to extend Paseo del Volcan 3.1 miles from Iris to US 550. To accomplish this, Jamie Marrufo, project manager for the Paseo del Volcan extension, said a two-lane sunken roadway that dives under Enchanted Hills Boulevard will be constructed. The road will sink eight to 10 feet and this is to suppress some of the traffic noise.

He compared the sunken road to Montaño under Rio Grande Boulevard in Albuquerque. Meanwhile, a bridge will be constructed on Enchanted Hills Boulevard over Paseo del Volcan.

The road will move traffic from Unser and Rio Rancho’s “downtown” through the Enchanted Hills neighborhood to connect with US 550.

Paseo del Volcan in Sandoval County will eventually connect with the Paseo del Volcan in Bernalillo County. This will connect I-40 to US 550. The state will eventually take over the road.

The design plan will be finished in 2009, according to Marrufo. He said he hopes to have the project complete by 2012.

The city has $14.4 million in grant funding available for the project from the state’s transportation department. The city will have to match 20 percent of the grant amount.