Saturday freeway closure affects drivers and businesses
On Saturday, a major traffic closure on El Paso’s west side caused major traffic congestion.
The Texas Department of Transportation shut down a 3 mile stretch of I-10 from Executive Center Blvd. to Sunland Park Drive.
The closure was supposed to happen Sunday but was moved to Saturday per New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez’s request.
ABC-7 crews came across traffic backed up for miles and some very frustrated drivers.
“Well this is a pain in the butt,” said one driver.
“This is ridiculous,” said one man stuck in traffic.
Cars moved at a crawl and drivers frustrated with the closure sounded off.
“They got Paisano closed, they got the freeway closed, Mesa is the only way to go. It’s Saturday a work day, a day when everyone is trying to get things done,” one driver said.
I-10 was closed for a three mile stretch but the affects of the closure spanned for miles.
El Paso Electric said they needed to shut down the freeway to replace several more transition poles.
The closure was slated for Sunday but a request came from New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez.
Her office said the request was made to avoid a “traffic nightmare” for Sunland Park’s Fiesta Del Sol Celebration.
With all the traffic stuck on Mesa could businesses stand to see more customers?
“I saw a pickup,”said Nonas manager Joseph Arziaga.
Arziaga feels a few customers dropped in to avoid the traffic.
“We have deals and everything like that as far as our March Madness deals so I guess they see it and they drop by,” Arziaga said.
But not every business saw the same affect.
“A lot of our employees were showing up late because of the traffic,” said Angry Owl manager Hector Hernandez.
Hernandez said the restaurant might of lost some customers because drivers tried to avoid the area all together.
“It wasn’t picking up until the afternoon when the roads were being opened again so it definitely affected us for lunch,” Arziaga said.
A spokesman for El Paso Electric said there isn’t any major road closures scheduled but there is a possibility additional closures may be needed as the Texas Department of Transportation projects progress.
