Spur 1966 set to open Friday

After more than two years of construction, Spur 1966 is scheduled to open Friday at noon.

The overpass built over Interstate 10 will connect Paisano Drive to Schuster Avenue near the University of Texas at El Paso campus.

Texas Department of Transportation officials said the spur will eliminate the need for UTEP-bound traffic to cut through the adjacent Sunset Heights neighborhood to access the UTEP facility.

It will also create easier access to Mesa Street and surrounding medical facilities.

Spur 1966 was first proposed in 2012 and construction started in 2013.

Drivers have seen several closures on I-10 in the past couple of years as crews worked to complete the bridge.

The Yandell Street bridge that went over I-10 was torn down to make room for Spur 1966.

Unfortunately, the construction of Spur 1966 stopped for a few days after two workers were killed last May.

James Green of north Texas and Jimmy Joe Broadstreet of Chaparral, New Mexico were working overnight on the construction of the overpass when an alleged drunk driver hit and killed them.

Jan Michael Nieves, a Fort Bliss soldier, has been charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter.

El Paso Police officials said Nieves disregarded barriers that were put in place to shut down the freeway.

Friday afternoon, many drivers will start using Spur 1966 as a new route to get around.