$60 million in roadway construction projects headed to east El Paso County

Major improvement projects are planned for four busy roadways in eastern El Paso County.

County officials held an open house to show residents and business owners what is headed their way.

The county is spending more than $60 million as the east continues to see tremendous growth.

“It’s getting very congested. A lot more people are moving into the area. so you see a big, big growth here,” said east El Paso County resident Laura Teran.

Residents and business owners packed the informational meeting Wednesday night to learn about the roadway construction projects that could impact their lives for years to come.

All four of the projects will include widening to six lanes, hike and bike trails, sidewalks, landscaping, lighting and traffic signs.

Improvements along the Eastlake Boulevard corridor represent the single largest roadway investment ever made by El Paso County. The project stretches from Interstate 10 to Darrington Road. Construction on the $26 million project is expected to start this spring.

The second project focuses on Pellicano Drive. It stretches from Loop 375 to Darrington Road. The is cost is $18 million and construction begins the spring of 2019.

“Not only will it help move people from a to b much safer, but all of these projects will also increase the quality of life , increase safety for cyclists and for people who are walking,” said El Paso County employee Jose Landeros.

Crews will then move to Mission Ridge Boulevard, where they will build a 1/2 mile long roadway from Stansbury Drive south. Once complete it will fill in a gap between the two existing stretches of roadway. The cost is $5 million and work should start in summer 2019.

The final project is Darrington Road. It will run from Pellicano Drive to Eastlake Boulevard. The $12 million project is slated to begin in late fall 2019.

“Darrington and Pellicano, we were also very concerned about those roads. They seem to be taking many, many years to get done. And we were very worried that they were never going to get done. So, we are glad to see this,” said Horizon resident James Stewart.