Construction projects may impact Sun Bowl traffic

Construction on and around UTEP during one of campus’s busiest times of the year … Sun Bowl.

There are two Texas Department of Transportation run sites. One on Mesa Street and Sun Bowl Drive. The other on Sun Bowl Drive through campus between Schuster Avenue and the Don Haskins Center.

“I think it’s terrible. It causes a lot of traffic back up and we don’t know what it’s for,” Rudy Marin said about traffic on Mesa Street. He is going to the game but not looking forward to traffic.

Marin is not the only one who feels that way. We asked viewers what they think of construction on our Facebook page.

Lorenzo said he’s heading to the game at 7 a.m.

Dave advises people park a few blocks away and walk to the stadium but beware of no-parking signs in neighborhoods.

Charles said, “Take the shuttle. This construction should have started in January instead of late September. It was hard enough to go to UTEP games with small crowds much less 45-50 thousand fans.”

Sun Metro has been helping people get to the bowl game for years. This year they’ll offer rides from 8 locations for $3 round trip, including from areas such as the airport, Mission Valley and the east side.

“We do believe this will help traffic if we can get as many passengers as possible we would love to fill our busses,” Savannah Leeper from Sun Metro said.

For those braving the crowds to drive themselves, there are parking changes on campus. Take a look at this map on the Sun Bowl website. All the spaces in pink are offering free parking with shuttles to the stadium.

“I think that’s a good idea because we’re not going to find any parking around here,” Marin said.

Fans may have to take their patience to the Sun Bowl this year, but regardless the game will go on.

A TxDOT spokeswoman said construction down Sun Bowl Drive has been suspended until after the new year.