Major weekend closure expected to bring heavy traffic graduation weekend

Texas Department of Transportation is scheduled to close a portion of I-10 in both directions during graduation weekend.

The 57-hour closure is scheduled to run from from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday.

I-10 will be closed in both directions from Sunland Park exit and entrance ramps. Sunland Park Drive southbound will be closed between Mesa Hills Drive and Paisano Drive. The Sunland Park Drive overpass will be closed as well as the entrance ramp to I-10, both eastbound and westbound. The Resler entrance ramp to I-10 east will also be closed.

“This project is being accelerated so we can complete it by black Friday so we can be out of the Sunland Park area by the time heavy retail season begins. This is critical path we have to take this work three consecutive weekends in a row,” Jennifer Wright, TXDOT spokeswoman, said.

Crews will be removing 28 massive steel girders from the old Sunland flyover ramp.

“It’s frustrating, of course,” graduating student Charlie Contreras said. He told ABC-7 that he is telling family and friends to leave early to make the ceremony on time. “I am hoping they can all make it on time, but I am now worried the construction may hinder them from being there on time or may deviate them from being there.”

Detours:

I-10 westbound traffic will exit at Sunland and follow Sunland Park Drive to North Mesa Street, then follow North Mesa Street to re-enter I-10 westbound from the North Mesa Street entrance ramp.

I-10 eastbound traffic will exit at Sunland and immediately re-enter I-10 at the next ramp.

“Wherever you go this weekend, if you have to get out and about please allow extra time, so you have a much more pleasant day,” Wright said.