TxDOT free towing program ends; agency plans on bringing it back soon

TxDOT’s initiative to tow stranded motorists for free on portions of I-10 and the Border Highway has ended.

TxDOT launched the initiative back in October. Tow trucks were on stand-by on I-10 from Cotton to Thorn during peak rush hours: 6-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.

El Paso Towing signed a three-month, $68,000 contract to provide its services. The money came from a grant awarded to El Paso’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). That contract expired on Jan. 12.

TxDOT spokeswoman Jennifer Wright said they’re currently looking to sign a $100,000 contract to extend the service. The department is negotiating with different towing companies, but Wright said a contract should be signed within the next couple of days.

“We actually towed an average of about 30 vehicles per week in the span of the contract, so it made a big difference,” Wright said.

Wright said the new contract will cover even more ground. Tow trucks will be towing stranded vehicles on I-10 from Redd Road to Viscount Blvd, during peak hours. Wright said the two main reasons for stalled vehicles were running out of gas and flat tires.

“It’s just safer to stay within your car. It’s very dangerous to be out of your car on I-10 with other cars — high-speed traffic — it’s just best if you can stay put,” Wright said. “Typically, the response time has been less than 30 minutes on the towing contract.”

West Side resident Randy Limberd said he’s glad TxDOT plans on continuing the initiative.

“Stalled vehicles and accidents can turn a minor problem in a major one very quickly,” Limber said. “I think the most frustrating things is when you get caught up in something you just weren’t planning on.”

TxDOT plans on eventually bring back the The Highway Emergency Response Operators, or HEROS program which provided roadside assistance to motorists. The program was ended in 2010 due to lack of funding. Wright said the goal is to have funding in place for the program by the end of 2018.