less-costly land and lower
taxes, much of the growth in the metropolitan area is taking place outside of
the city of Albuquerque itself. In Rio Rancho to the northwest, the communities
east of the mountains, and the incorporated parts of Valencia County,
population growth rates approach twice that of Albuquerque. The primary cities
in Valencia County are Los Lunas and Belen, both of which are home to growing
industrial complexes and new residential subdivisions. The mountain towns of
Tijeras, Edgewood, and Moriarty, while close enough to Albuquerque to be
considered suburbs, have experienced much less growth compared to Rio Rancho,
Bernalillo, Los Lunas, and Belen. Limited water supply and rugged terrain are
the main limiting factors for development in these towns. The Mid Region
Council of Governments (MRCOG), which includes constituents from throughout the
Albuquerque area, was formed to ensure that these governments along the middle
Rio Grande would be able to meet the needs of their rapidly rising populations.
MRCOG's cornerstone project is the New Mexico Rail Runner Express
