Traffic backup impacts flow at synchronized traffic lights

As El Paso grows, so does the amount of traffic on roads. Intersections like Lee Trevino and Vista Del Sol in East El Paso are one of the busiest intersections in the city. Traffic backup there are other areas can impact how fast you get through synchronized traffic lights.

Many drivers tell Abc-7 it takes a long time to get through the lights. Others say they worry about getting in a crash there.

It’s the same intersection where an El Paso Police officer was hit by a car nearly two weeks ago. Officer David Ortiz later died.

“Sometimes people will go super fast and they’ll just brake so they won’t get the ticket, so you have to be super careful, I ‘ll be at the light, the light will be green and then like that–it’ll turn red,” Eva Villa said.

Despite efforts by the city streets department to keep this from happening drivers say they’re seeing traffic jams at intersections all over El Paso.

“It’s always long lines, all the way through I-10 , it’s always a pain,” Carlos Baldasar.

The city tells Abc-7 traffic signals are set on timers so that it you hit a green light at one intersection and you drive the speed limit, you’ll hit approach the next light on a green as well–all to keep the flow of traffic steady.

El Paso drivers we spoke with aren’t buying it.

“Lee Trevino sometimes it causes problems during rush hour,” another driver said.

The lights are synchronized–but the amount of traffic affects what you experience. If there’s backup– it just doesn’t work.

The city’s streets department director Ted Marquez says the amount of cars, pedestrians and the time of day are all factors that play a role in the timing. The city re-times lights every three to five years–but that can change.

“Growth in East El Paso and new stores continue to open up, that can change,” Marquez said.

So unless that happens, driving the speed limit or taking an alternate route is your best bet to saving you some time.

“Drive defensively and drive carefully,” Marquez said.

If you experience any problems with synchronized traffic lights at any intersection you can call the city at 311.