Complete closure of I-10 causes traffic headaches Sunday

The complete closure of Interstate 10 from Sunland Park Drive to Porfirio Diaz Street left many travelers using El Paso’s surface streets and neighborhoods Sunday. It was one of the many complete closures for the Spur 1966 project. However, it’s not the last. The project isn’t expected to be completed until May of next year.

Out with the old, the Yandell Drive overpass, and in with the new Spur 1966 that will connect Schuster Avenue to Paisano Drive via a new bridge over I-10 in west El Paso.

“There’s traffic all over the place from Mesa to Paisano, accidents all over,” one driver said Sunday afternoon.

Texas Department of Transportation managers said they have done all they can to minimize complete closures of I-10. When the interstate is shut down, the same neighborhoods seem to get the brunt of detoured traffic.

Westbound drivers had to exit the interstate at Porfirio Diaz Street and come down an access road, Main Drive. Houses line the street.

Those headed east had to exit at Sunland Park Drive – and take Paisano Drive all the way to US 54 – before re-entering I-10.

“It’s not uncomfortable if they do it on a Sunday because we’re home,” one woman who lives on Main Drive said.

At least one driver said what causes the most inconvenience is traffic caused by semi-trucks. He thinks TxDOT should help with traffic control during closures, and offered some advice.

“Designate just one lane to bigger trucks, and one to regular traffic,” the motorist said.

With all the construction projects happening around El Paso, some drivers said they are getting used to taking alternate routes.

I-10 eastbound and westbound will reopen Monday at 5 a.m.