Border Boom Part 2: El Paso Northeast
As part of ABC-7’s Border Boom Series, Reporter Autumn Sam took a look at how military growth will effect El Paso’s northeast.
EL PASO, Texas – According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average El Pasoan faces a relatively low commute of 30 minutes, compared to other cities.That may change when the military adds 27,000 soldiers to Fort Bliss, including family members that means El Paso is getting nearly 70,000 new residents.
About 2,700 troops will arrive this year.
ABC-7 discovered, that eventually more than 20,000 of these new soldiers will be working on the Northern expansion of Ft. Bliss and Biggs Field, but living off post. That could cause a potential gridlock at the intersection of Fred Wilson and Airport Road.
Two new gates off of Fred Wilson and three new gates off of Loop 375 are just a few changes the Fort Bliss area will see. However, the city of El Paso and TX-DOT came up with an even bigger solution solution.
The city is planning to transform Fred Wilson into a 6 lane freeway from U.S. 54 to Airport Road, then continue as a 4 lane interchange thru Loop 365.
“This is a big load to us, we have to deliver the Spur 601 project which connects US 54 to loop 375 in a record amount of time,” Sergio Garcia said.
TX-DOT wants to complete what should be a 12 year project, in just 4 years.
The city said they do not foresee crowded traffic in the northeast because the majority of the troops will start to arrive at Fort Bliss after the 601 project is complete.
