Traffic Jam Initiative: TxDOT, local businesses team up to offer frustrated drivers relief
ABC-7 has some bad news and some good news for drivers.
The bad news: TxDOT’s work on the Go 10 project and Border West Expressway will continue for three more years.
The good news? You’ll be able to save some money because of it.
TxDOT has developed a new “Traffic Jam Initiative” on Twitter and Facebook that will allow those stuck in traffic jams to get off the road and save some money at local businesses. The initiative TxDOT launched Thursday includes promoting the Angry Owl, which is now offering traffic jam specials for El Paso’s frustrated drivers.
“I like to liken it to a river full of fish and all they have to do is drop a hook in and pull those customers off the streets when there’s a traffic jam,” said TxDOT spokeswoman Jennifer Wright. “If they’re flexible enough they can pull over and take advantage of some specials and leave the streets to the people that have time pressures.”
More than two dozen West Side businesses are already participating, including Bob O’s Family Fun Center off I-10 and Sunland Park, which has been impacted by all the construction.
“We do think it has affected us,” Bob O’s general manager Stefanie Arciniaga said. “I do have customers call me, ‘What’s closed today? Can we get to you? What other route can we take?'”
Nothing beats hitting a few baseballs at the Bob O’s batting cages to blow off some steam, rather than sitting in traffic, and that’s exactly what this TxDOT traffic jam initiative program allows people to do at a discount rate.
“I was really glad that they did this,” Arciniaga said, “just seeing all the traffic.”
“Sometimes it takes an hour and a half to get all the way to I-10 from here,” Pizza Joint manager Frank Gallardo said.
The Pizza Joint on Mesa is also ready to serve drivers some relief.
“Frustrating is the proper term,” said Bridget Chacon, a West Side resident. “One of the things I’ve told my friends is it feels it feels like I’m at the border crossing, but on Mesa Street!”
She likes the traffic jam specials idea.
“For those that do live on this side of town or have business to attend to, it would just help the flow of traffic,” she said. “I think it’s a great way to serve one another in this community.”
TxDOT oficials said businesses don’t need to ask for permission to join in and put out traffic jam specials. Just use the #epjam or check out TxDOT’s Twitter accounts @go10ep or @txdotelp.
