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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A federal appeals court on Tuesday rejected an emergency motion that aimed to halt construction of the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project.

The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals didn’t explain its decision. It simply said that a panel of judges assigned to the case had denied the motion after considering the arguments filed by opponents, the city and Federal Transit Administration.

Construction crews working for the city of Albuquerque have been ripping out medians and carrying out other work along Central Avenue this month to prepare for a new bus rapid transit system. The project involves creation of a nine-mile corridor of bus-only lanes and bus stops – largely in the middle of Central, between Louisiana and Coors.

Opponents said the city started work prematurely because the FTA has not yet awarded the grant funds that would pay for most of the project. They also said the construction created intense traffic congestion, proving their point that the project would harm neighborhoods and businesses along the route.