TxDOT highway projects in El Paso experience delays during monsoon

The borderland has seen a lot of rain, resulting in the delay of Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) projects.

The state agency’s District Engineer, Bob Bielek, told ABC-7 the Go-10 project has hit a speed bump.

“We have an issue with one of the bent caps on the new bridge at I-10 and Mesa that was poured during the recent rain,” Bielek said. “So we don’t know at this point if the bent cap will have the strength that it needs to have.”

Bielek said the contractor will have to make a decision whether they want to do a lot of testing on that bent cap, or simply tear it out and re-pour the concrete.

Bielek said whenever they start a project, they build a schedule for it and give extra time for weather restrictions. He said it’s normally a few extra days, not months, when it comes to needing more time.

Bielek said often times, the rain doesn’t stop crews from continuing to work.

“If they’re demolishing an old structure, you may be able to do that while its raining,” Bielek said. “But if you’re pouring asphalt, it’s difficult to do that in rain.”

When there’s flooding, Bielek says crews work together to move the equipment. Although most equipment is designed to work in extreme weather.

But whether workers can withstand the conditions is a concern.

“The issue is forcing crews to be in areas where they can slip and fall,” Bielek said.

Bielek said when it comes down to it, it’s up to the contractor to decide when to stop working.

“The contractor decides how much risk he’s willing to take because he has to make a product that meets our specifications,” he said.

But Bielek said the real challenge is predicting the rain, and that’s why the contractors and everyone involved with the project, including drivers, need to be flexible.