TxDOT project aims to alleviate traffic near Fountains of Farah

The Texas Department of Transportation is in the beginning stages of a project they say will improve the area between viscount and airway.

TXDOT says this project will help alleviate traffic near the Fountains of Farah and Cielo Vista Mall but it’s where this new ramp is placed that has some people disappointed.

There was a lot of hype when the Fountains of Farah opened. Many flocked to new stores, some never seen in El Paso.

The area according to city council members has done the city well in some aspects.

“Twenty percent of the sales tax for the whole city comes from this area,” said District 3 Rep. Emma Acosta.

Acosta says the rebirth of the area has also come with problems.
“It’s become a matter of everyday it’s congested especially Fridays and weekends,” said Acosta.
Thursday TXDOT held a public meeting so El Pasoans could see the new project that will help the situation.

“For some people it will be the straw that broke the camel’s back,” said District Engineer for TXDOT, Bob Bielek.

Bielek said the biggest part of the project will be a braided ramp.

“The reason for the braided ramp is to separate the people who are coming out of Viscount Boulevard who want to get on Interstate 10 from the people who are getting off the Interstate 10 who want to go to the Fountains,” said Bielek.

But representatives from the Fountains of Farah who did not want to be on camera said they were disappointed.

“Their concerned that visibility of the Fountains of Farah will be negative,” said Acosta.

The braided ramp will block the view of the retail center.

The project will also improve intersections at Hawkins, Airways and Viscount boulevards

An additional auxiliary lane will also be added to the westbound Interstate 10 lanes.

“Once this project starts there’s going to be a lot of inconvenience but I think it’s something that will be positive in the long run,” said Acosta.

The project comes with a price tag of $17 million. Construction is expected to begin in 2017 and should take about two years to complete.