Lower Valley residents concerned about commercial traffic at the Ysleta-Zaragoza bridge

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- ABC-7 viewers have voiced concerns over the semi-truck traffic at some of El Paso's Lower Valley residential areas.

According to them, commercial trucks are using Carl Longuemare Road and residents are worried about the cargo and the chemicals they carry because they are waiting in line right next to their homes.

El Paso City officials have said recently that they are worried that if commercial traffic is eventually removed from 'BOTA', most of the traffic could end up at the Ysleta-Zaragoza Port of Entry.

Last Tuesday, the city's Director of International Bridges, Roberto Tinajero, told ABC-7 that commercial traffic crossings could be doubled at Zaragoza if semi-trucks are removed from BOTA.

"We do have an industrial park area that's growing, but as I mentioned, the roads over there can't handle the semi-trucks coming down Zaragoza because the only point of travel is the border highway," said City Rep. Henry Rivera.

A local resident also said he is concerned about safety due to the number of truckers stationed next to his home, traffic usually increases from Wednesday to Saturday.

Robert Ortiz lives near Carl Longuemare Rd in the Lower Valley where he says semi-trucks that line up at the Zaragoza POE often back up near his home, causing damage to the streets, homes, and even to the residents' health.

"Every time a truck is running fast, the house just shakes big time; they're there for hours (semi-trucks)," Ortiz said.

According to him, due to air quality issues, they also suffer from headaches, allergies, and other health conditions. This situation has been happening for about a year now, Ortiz said.

"It's all day, and mainly in the afternoons because during the day that the traffic is flowing, but at night I guess they get backed up in the bridge and it just starts backing up and backing up," Ortiz added.

Residents in that area of town would like City and County officials to look at the street conditions if commercial traffic continues to increase and if semi-trucks are eventually removed from the Bridge of the Americas with the U.S. GSA's proposed modernization set to start in late 2026.