TxDOT to widen Interstate 10 along west El Paso to state line
EL PASO, Texas -- TxDOT El Paso is hoping to make some major changes to Interstate 10 in the near future. TxDOT is planning to widen I-10 from west El Paso to the Texas/New Mexico state line.
Construction on the $174.3 million projects will begin Tuesday, May 31. The project's corridor expands a total of 11.2 miles, according to TxDOT.
The goal of the project is to "improve capacity, operation, circulation, and safety" along the interstate, according to a statement.
One of the biggest changes along this stretch is adding an additional inside lane to mitigate congestion. TxDOT said there will be three 12-foot wide lanes going east and west, along with a 10-foot wide inside and outside shoulder once the project is complete.
The frontage roads between Loop 375 to Mesa Street will also be upgraded.
A new overpass at Los Mochis will be built and the overpass along Thorn will be reconstructed.
TxDOT unveiled the project plans today. The contractors will begin work at Vinton and Redd Road on both sides of I-10.
TxDOT says existing frontage roads will serve as detours at times of full closures.
El Pasoans are excited about eventually alleviating some traffic but are concerned about the potential traffic construction could cause in the meantime.
"It needs to be done but I wish they would find a way to get it done quicker," said Raoul McKinney. "It's gonna cause a disruption, especially for people that work in the two cities so if you're coming from Las Cruces to here or going from there to Las Cruces it's gonna slow down traffic a lot".
"3 1/2 years everything takes so long here," said Joanne Hazboum.
