Work on Transmountain projects completed
El Pasoans commuting between the East and West valleys can now look forward to a smoother drive.
The Texas Department of Transportation on Monday celebrated the completion of two projects with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The main lanes of the Transmountain-West and Transmountain-Northeast projects are now open completing the north side of Loop 375.
What used to be a two-lane roadway will now be a freeway section that will ease traffic congestion and increase the safety of commuters.
About $50 million was invested in the project that has been under construction since December 2011.
The Transmountain-Northeast project stretches from Dyer to West of 54. The Transmountain-West begins at the entrance of the Franklin Mountain State Park and reaches to the I-10.
Bob Bielek, District Engineer for TxDot in El Paso, said the projects are expected to eliminate as much traffic as possible from the I-10. The projects will also help facilitate development in the area.
“Both areas on either side of this highway are under pressure for development, so what we’re doing is developing a freeway section so that through traffic can move very easily,” Bielek said.
Congressman Beto O’Rourke and TxDot Chairman Ted Houghton spoke at the ribbon-cutting ceremony as well as State Representative Joe Moody and City Representatives Ann Morgan Lilly and Carl L. Robinson.
