Construction Lessens Lanes, Increases Wait

EL PASO, TX — The demolition of an administration building at the Paso del Norte Port of Entry downtown means drivers will be limited to only four lanes – the lowest number of open lanes at the bridge during the construction project that will eventually expand it.

The project will add two lanes for vehicles, bringing the total number of lanes to 11. Pedestrians will see the number of lanes for them nearly triple to 14 from the five they currently have.

Customs and Border Protection, the federal agency that runs the port of entry, suggests drivers headed north into El Paso account for the added wait time by taking an alternate route, or allowing themselves more time to cross over.

The expansion project is expected to be complete by June of 2009.

Written for kvia.com by Anchor/Reporter Stephanie Valle