TxDOT begins construction on SH178 Artcraft Road project

Update: TxDOT Public Information Officer Jennifer Wright says the $243.7 million project is designed to improve safety and streamline traffic in a rapidly growing area.

"We have the San Jerónimo border crossing. We have a lot of freight, a lot of cargo use in this corridor," Wright said. "Additionally, houses have sprung up in the last few years, so there's more residential, more business and more freight traffic through this corridor."

Building the new roads connecting Artcraft to I-10 will take up property that's currently occupied by several other businesses.

"We are adding direct connector ramps from I-10 to Artcraft in both directions at I-10. Those are going to impact businesses on the I-10 end of this project."

The project map, provided by TxDOT, shows that the road will be built over the current site of Rudy's, Jack in the Box, Carl's Jr. and Speedway gas station.

"In every case, we try to minimize the amount of land that's in the footprint of a project," Wright said. "In some cases, it's just not possible to undertake a project with no right of way acquisition, especially when we're doing something as ambitious as turning a rural highway into a freeway."

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A $243.7 million construction project is now underway to enhance the intersection of State Highway 178, or Artcraft Road, and I-10 in the Upper Valley.

The project "is designed to improve mobility in the fast-developing corridor," according to TxDOT officials.

The five-phase project is expected to be completed in 2030. It lists several major transportation improvements, including the following:

• Direct access from Artcraft to I-10 East and West
• U-turn bridges at the I-10 Artcraft Interchange
• Rebuilt sections and extended frontage roads between I-10 and Doniphan Drive
• Bridges, new entrance and exit ramps at the Artcraft Road/Upper Valley Road and Westside Drive intersections
• Improvements to shared-use paths for pedestrians and bikers

TxDOT says the changes will help improve the flow of traffic at the Artcraft/I-10 interchange, enhance travel between NM 136 and I-10, and make it easier to access the Santa Teresa Border Crossing.