Last of streetcar rail install causes closures on Mesa

One of the last sections of rail for the El Paso Streetcar Project will start being installed Monday, bringing along some major closures on Mesa Street.

Glory Road, which is west of Mesa Street will be closed to Oregon Street. The same road, east of Mesa, Baltimore Drive, will be closed to Stanton Street.

The closures are the first part of three phases the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority has devised to keep traffic flowing in the heavily congested area near UTEP.

On Monday, June 19, Mesa will be reduced to two lanes of traffic in the area for phase one of the project.

Phase two is expected to start July 5. Mesa will be reduced to one lane of traffic in both directions for about three weeks as crews from Paso del Norte Trackworks lay rail in the center of the intersection.

As soon as phase two is complete, phase three will start. Mesa traffic will only flow in the right lane in both directions for about one month as crews connect the rail from both sides of the intersection. Baltimore Drive will be open to local traffic only from Stanton Street.

Sun Bowl Drive and I-10 are the best alternate routes, but if your daily commute takes you to the area be sure to factor in extra time to account for the backup. Pedestrians in the area should also be aware of the closures, and use alternate crossing locations.

The CRRMA is hosting an open house Wednesday, June 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the production room at the Don Haskins Center.

Contractors will present detailed plans, traffic control maps and information on alternate routes.

You can also reach the CRRMA’s Streetcar Project Hotline at 1-844-252-72-54