ABC-7 Listens: Revamped Intersection Confusing, Dangerous?

The construction barrels are gone and all the lanes have reopened at Gateway North and Fred Wilson Drive, now that the new Spur 601 freeway overpass is complete.

This should be good news for northeast El Paso drivers, right?

In an email, ABC-7 viewer “Alexis” said the intersection is now confusing and dangerous.

When you’re driving on Gateway North, there is a far left turnaround lane before Fred Wilson, then four major lanes at the stoplight.

The first lane on the left is marked for left turns only. The lane next to that is for turning left or going straight. But drivers in the third lane are supposed to go straight only.

That’s not always the case.

An ABC-7 crew witnessed a crash at the intersection Friday afternoon after a white pickup truck in the third lane tried to turn and was broadsided by a minivan.

No one was seriously injured. The driver of the truck told ABC-7 he was confused.

“The sign looks like you can make a left turn,” he said.

Texas Department of Transportation engineer Edgar Fino said drivers may be used to turning from that third lane because you could during construction of the overpass.

Fino said the agency is aware of the problem and plans to add signs and move them closer to the stoplight at a cost of roughly $500.

“Cost isn’t an issue,” Fino said. “It’s just a matter of us preparing the plan sheets, and that’s what we’re in the process of doing.”

Fino said the new signs should be in place within the next two to three weeks.