Public Art Project Planned To Beautify I-10

Drives on Interstate 10 are about to get a lot nicer.

At least that’s what the city of El Paso is hoping once a big art project along the freeway’s now-faded murals is finished.

The project to beautify I-10 is still in the early stages. The Texas Department of Transportation is funding part of the project, but the process to make the artist’s vision a reality could take anywhere from three to five years, according to Public Art Program Coordinator Patricia Dalbin.

“It’s only the area between Hawkins and Executive Center,” said Dalbin.

She explained the priority right now is the Airway area. The projected price tag to execute Seattle-based artist Vicki Scuri’s vision for the area is $10 million, all paid for by TX-DOT.

“When people fly into El Paso, that’s the first area they see,” said Dalbin. “(Scuri) will add some fencing and color. She’ll also take away some of the concrete and put in some landscaping.”

Dalbin said the city is also looking to make the Airway area more pedestrian-friendly.

“It’s just not safe, so she’ll be doing some painted concrete, some safer walking areas and maybe some good lighting under the bridge,” Dalbin said.

Plans are also in the works to renovate I-10 near downtown El Paso, though funds for that project are not entirely secured.

“Once we identify other funding, we’re going to move into the downtown area, where (Scuri) will do a lot of nice artistic elements across the depressed area,” said Dalbin.