Loop 375, Doniphan Drive reopen after dynamite near wastewater plant prompts evacuations

UPDATE (Oct. 13, 2026, 1:50 a.m.): El Paso police said all street closures on Loop 375 at Executive eastbound and westbound as well as Doniphan Drive have officially reopened.

The scene has been rendered safe regarding the John T. Hickerson Wastewater Treatment Plant evacuated after old dynamite found near Cement Lake, prompting Loop 375 shutdown.

UPDATE (7:50 p.m.): El Paso Water said they are working with El Paso Police and other law enforcement agencies after "mining explosive devices" or dynamite were found near Cement Lake in a storage facility.

The John T. Hickerson Wastewater Treatment Plant was evacuated "out of an abundance of caution", according to El Paso Water.

Police have secured the area near the treatment plant. El Paso Water said they have a team of engineers working with police to identify "any critical infrastructure in the area".

UPDATE (6:25 p.m.): EPPD Detective Judy Oviedo said police found "very old" dynamite on El Paso Water property Monday. She said authorities found the explosive near Cement Lake in an old shed.

Police said there's no threat the public at this time.

Detective Oviedo said drivers should expect Loop 375 to close for several hours in both directions as authorities investigate. LP375 at Executive Center Boulevard, Sunland Park and Doniphan are closed.

EPPD's bomb squad, El Paso Fire Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Border Patrol and El Paso Water are at the scene.

Police learned about the dynamite, reported as a "suspicious item," at 12:44 p.m., Detective Oviedo said.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A bomb squad found old dynamite near Executive Center Boulevard on Monday, according to the El Paso Police Department. The Loop 375 highway will close in both directions until further notice.

EPPD said the highway will close from Executive to Doniphan until further notice. The bomb squad is currently at the 600 block of Executive.

This is a developing story.