Big events cripple traffic in Downtown El Paso

Events like the Celebration of Lights attract tens of thousands to downtown El Paso every year.

With buzz generating months ahead, it’s easy to see why El Pasoans are drawn in droves.

However, with so many residents in one area at one time, the traffic itself becomes a bit of a side show.

“I live around here, I see all the traffic that gets backed up. I-10 and Mesa, there need to be more alternate routes,” an area resident said.

The problem, however, also lies in the amount of alternate routes, aside from Mesa and Montana. There really is no other major thorough fare to relieve traffic. The Texas Department of Transportation aims to change that.

Lauren Macias-Cervantes, a spokeswoman with the state agency, told ABC-7 TxDOT is now beginning a new project called “Re-imagine I-10” and is reaching out to everyday drivers for feedback.

“We’re asking for people to give us their feedback, obviously, the Anthony corridor is not going to be the same as the downtown corridor,” Macias-Cervantes said.

The project will span 55 miles and TxDOT will be surveying the corridor from the state line with New Mexico in Anthony, towards Far Southeast El Paso County in Tornillo. It’s a project that will not begin until at least 2021 and possibly as late as 2023. With an interstate as major as I-10 current delays have the potential to keep residents away from downtown.

“I don’t come to downtown El Paso because of that. I don’t want to deal with the traffic. If I do visit downtown, I’ll take a taxi,” another El Pasoan told ABC-7.

In order to accurately improve the freeway, TxDOT needs assistance from local drivers. On its website, drivers will be able to air their concerns about the interstate as well as provide solutions to everyday traffic problems.

By doing so, TxDOT will not only be able to conduct a corridor study with traffic counts, but also get a sense of what the community feels it needs.

TxDOT will be holding an additional public meeting next year. For more information on locations and meeting times, CLICK HERE.