The highway's western terminus is at Golf Course Road and then proceeds east intersecting NM 45. The highway then continues east intersecting several state highways, and Interstate 25. The highway's eastern terminus is at an intersection with NM 556. From NM 45 to I-25, NM 423 is a freeway with a speed limit. From I-25 to its eastern terminus at NM 556, NM 423 is a 6-lane divided highway with at-grade intersections with speed limits of 45-55 MPH. Initial proposals to reconstruct its interchange with I-25 would have also extended the freeway portion of NM 423 east from Jefferson Boulevard east to Louisiana Boulevard. The scaled back design added two flyover ramps to provide high-speed nonstop access between I-25 northbound and NM 423 westbound and also NM 423 eastbound and I-25 southbound. The signalized intersections with the I-25 frontage roads remain in place, the same with at-grade intersections with San Pedro Road and Louisiana Boulevard.
2014 Improvements near I-25
The New Mexico Department of Transportation approved a construction design at a cost of US$93 million, US$55 million of which comes from Bernalillo County and the City of Albuquerque, US$29.75 million from the State of New Mexico, and the other US$8.25 million from federal funding. Funding was approved in November 2012; construction began in October 2013, and was completed in December 2014. The completed interchange allowed for unimpeded access on Paseo from I-25 all the way to Golf Course Road, reducing travel times and congestion for the West Side areas and Rio Rancho.
A hybrid stack interchange was built at Paseo Del Norte and I-25, it consists of a fly-over ramp carrying two lanes from Northbound I-25 to Westbound Paseo Del Norte and also a ramp from Eastbound Paseo Del Norte to Southbound I-25, the latter of which goes under the southbound I-25 frontage road. A new loop entrance ramp from Westbound Paseo Del Norte to Southbound I-25 was also built.
Paseo Del Norte and Jefferson Street
Jefferson street is a major artery through Journal Center, which comprises many businesses including the Albuquerque Journal and Cabela's. Because of the proximity of this area to I-25 and Paseo Del Norte, the construction design makes changes to the current intersection. This intersection was not grade separated, and has caused major congestion over the years, especially with the growing west side neighborhoods. The construction added a regular single point urban interchange, different than the modified SPUI already present at 2nd street. However, traffic using the flyover from northbound I-25 to westbound Paseo Del Norte are not able to exit at Jefferson Street. People wishing to access Jefferson St. from I-25 will have to exit and use the diamond interchange.
Major intersections
Future plans
The Mid Region Council of Governments is proposing to start a bus rapid transit service on Paseo Del Norte. This route would start in southwest Rio Rancho, cross the River on Paseo Del Norte, and terminate south of Journal Center. Plans also call for a connection to another planned BRT route on University to UNM, CNM, and the Sunport. In order to facilitate this new route, the lanes on Paseo Del Norte would be reduced from 6 to 4 for automobile traffic, with the other 2 lanes becoming BRT dedicated lanes. Park and Ride locations would also be built on the west side. Long-term plans call for NM-423 to be extended westward along Paseo Del Norte from NM-45 to the planned Paseo Del Volcan west of Double Eagle II Airport when NM-347 is eventually constructed from its present terminus in Rio Rancho to I-40 at Nine Mile Hill.
