Crews to begin installing rail for Oregon streetcars on Tuesday

For the first time in 42 years, Construction crews will begin installing rail for streetcars in El Paso.

The first phase of the project includes Oregon Street near UTEP, according to Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority.

The new project will lead to street closures and lane restrictions along major streets near downtown and UTEP.

Paso del Norte Trackworks has been working to relocate utilities along the route since December 2015.

The crew began working in May 2016, removing pavement, dirt and rocks and replacing it with new materials.

Crews are ready for the next phase. “Once we start laying rail on the street this unquestionably becomes the Streetcar Project that a lot of folks in this community have been looking forward to” Martin Bartlett, a spokesman for the developer, said.

Barlett said work on Oregon street was scheduled to coincide with the summer break at UTEP.

The streetcars will travel along businesses, medical, entertainment, cultural and educational institutions.

Oregon St and Cincinnati Avenue will be closed for approximately a week beginning Tuesday, June 21, 2016.

If you are traveling near downtown or UTEP, be aware of the construction happening along the following locations this week:

COMPLETE CLOSURES

San Antonio Avenue between Kansas Street and Stanton Street
Father Rahm Avenue between Santa Fe Street and Kansas Street Kansas Street between Overland Avenue and Father Rahm Avenue Stanton Street between Robinson Avenue and Kerbey Avenue Boston Avenue between Mesa Street and Kansas Street Crosby Avenue between Mesa Street and Stanton Street

LANE RESTRICTIONS

Santa Fe Street between Paisano Drive and Loop 375
Stanton Street between Cliff Drive and Schuster Avenue Franklin Avenue between Mesa Street and Stanton Street Campbell Street at First Avenue University Avenue at Oregon