TxDOT to hold meeting on Alameda Ave. construction

The Texas Department of Transportation is moving forward on the proposal to add two roundabouts at the intersection of Alameda Avenue and Paisano Drive in South-Central El Paso.

Officials with TxDOT are holding another meeting to gather public input on the controversial project Tuesday evening. At the last public meeting in May, many residents showed their dismay, yelling and disparaging the presenters.

The plan would transform Alameda from Concepcion St. to Glenwood Dr., Paisano from Concepcion to El Paso, and El Paso from Alameda to Paisano. TxDOT would like to install two roundabouts at Alameda and Paisano, as well as create a T intersection at Paisano and El Paso. The overpass that crosses Paisano and provides access to the eastbound lanes of Alameda would also be demolished.

TxDOT has said this is a multimillion dollar undertaking to not only fix traffic flow, but also make it safer for pedestrians and improve drainage.

Residents who attended that meeting in May told ABC-7 they think the changes would increase the number of crashes and make it less safe for those walking through the area. Others also questioned how tractor-trailers would make it through the roundabouts safely.

The public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Texas Tech Medical Center Building, at 5001 El Paso Dr., in the Francis Auditorium, room 1200. The presentation begins at 6:30.