I-10 speed limit reduced to 60 near Vinton, TxDOT concerned about auto collisions

TxDOT has reduced the speed limit along a portion of I-10 because of the number of auto collisions on the freeway since construction started in West El Paso.

According to the Police Department, there have been 359 accidents, 76 reported injuries, and four deaths on the freeway in between Redd Road and Porfirio Diaz from April 1, 2015 through June 20, 2016.

The large number of crashes has concerned the Police Department, city officials and the Texas Department of Transportation.

“Pay attention as you go through the construction zone, slow down. It wont take you much longer, Five to ten seconds isn’t going to affect anyone’s life,” said Texas Department of Public Safety District Engineer Bob Bielek.

Bielek hopes the reduced speed limit will reduce collisions along that stretch of construction.

The reduced speed limit goes into effect near Vinton. The speed limit at the state line is 75 mph, with the recent changes that will drop to 60 mph when you hit Vinton.

The speed limit will drop once again to 50 mph at Mesa Street.