3-month closure starts in northeast El Paso

The Diana Drive underpass at U.S. 54 is scheduled to close for three months Tuesday. However, crews will start work on part of the area Monday, Texas Department of Transportation officials said.

“We have an overnight road closure to re-stripe the intersection,” said TxDOT spokeswoman Jennifer Wright.

Work is planned to start Monday at 9 p.m., closing the eastbound lanes of Diana Drive, affecting drivers who normally exit at the intersection from U.S. 54.

The three-month closure is scheduled to begin Tuesday at 6 a.m. so crews can widen the bridge above the intersection.

Gateway Boulevard turnarounds at Hondo Pass and Transmountain drives are the best alternate routes.

The work is part of the $35 million Widening and Illumination project, which started November 2017.

The projects will provide additional lanes lighting and safety precautions stretching from Hondo Pass to Loop 375/Transmountain.

Crews will also be restructuring on and off ramps for better merging, and adding “Texas turnaround lanes” at all intersections within the project area, said Wright.

The project also includes a 2-mile path planned from northbound Hondo Pass to Transmountain.

Work is scheduled to be completed in March 2019.