TxDOT: High winds should not impact construction; could lead to unsafe driving conditions

EL PASO, Texas -- High winds in the forecast for El Paso on Monday should not impact ongoing Texas Department of Transportation construction projects, the department said.

"Typically, a project is timed to allow for weather days," TxDOT El Paso spokeswoman Jennifer Wright said. "If we have to, not do an operation due to high winds, there's usually a cushion of time built in for that."

Wright said the department will stray from cranes during wind events, and that wind can impact the pouring of concrete. She said construction workers are prepared for wind, and already wear harnesses while scaffolding.

Wright said high winds can create a bigger problem for drivers, as they can lead to unsafe driving conditions. In construction zones, drivers should expect the unexpected. While barrels and fences are often held down by sand bags, those may not be enough to keep them from rolling into the roads during extremely high winds.

"Drivers should be aware that it is dangerous to drive in high winds," Wright said, "not necessarily because of their own vehicle, but because of other vehicles on the road."

High-profile vehicles may struggle to stay in their lane during high wind events and Wright said it's important that drivers be aware of these cars. She recommends that all drivers keep a firm grip on their steering wheels, slow their speeds and leave their lights on during wind events.