Construction Updates

Each year in Texas, there are approximately 15,000 crashes and more than 100 people killed in highway construction and maintenance zones. Motorists traveling through work zones make up the majority of fatalities. The two leading causes of work zone crashes are failure to control speed and driver inattention.

Top Five Safety Tips

• Slow down and follow posted work zone signs, such as speed limits and detours.
• Be aware of surroundings. Workers and heavy equipment may only be a few feet from passing vehicles.
• Be patient. Delays can be frustrating, but for everyone’s safety, slow down.
• Plan ahead. Leave a few minutes early or take an alternate route in order to reach your destination on time.
• Drive now, talk later. It is unlawful to use cell phones while driving in El Paso County, especially in work zones.

TxDOT’s annual “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign reminds drivers:

• Turn off your mobile device or put it out of reach when behind the wheel.
• Pull over to a safe location if you must talk or text.
• Use an app that will block texts and calls when you’re driving.
• Tell friends, family, and colleagues you won’t respond to calls or texts while driving.
• Remember that all distractions, even eating, grooming or talking to your passengers, can be dangerous. Always pay full attention when behind the wheel.

Are You Driving an Oversized Load?

Vehicles and loads that exceed legal size or weight limits need an oversize/overweight permit and route from the TxDMV to travel on Texas roads.

Beating the Gridlock

Here are strategies to help ease congestion during major highway construction projects:

Know the Alternate Routes

For eastbound/westbound drivers:

• Transmountain Road (Loop 375)
• Mesa Street (SH 20)
• Doniphan Drive (SH 20)
• Paisano Drive (US 85)

Stagger Departure Times

• Leave your location earlier, especially before peak rush hours. Even 10 minutes can make a difference.
• Leave your location later to help offset traffic loads on the roads during peak rush hours.
• Employers can consider allowing staggered arrival and departure times for employees.

Avoid Driving During Peak Rush Hours

If driving during peak rush hours is necessary:

• Drive at a safe speed.
• Don’t follow other vehicles too closely.
• Put devices away.
• Know alternate routes.
• Be aware of roadway closures.

Telework

Working from home or conducting meetings via teleconferencing helps reduce commuter traffic.

Carpool or Use Public Transit

Organizing carpools to work, school, or activities helps manage traffic flow.

Construction Photo Gallery & History

August 2018

Aerial images show before and after photos of key areas within the GO 10 construction zone. Structures targeted for completion included bridges and ramps at the I-10/Sunland Park interchange and at the I-10/Mesa interchange.

May 2018

Photos from May 30, 2018 documented ongoing progress across the project footprint.

April 2018

On April 29, 2018, a 27-hour closure was put in effect, restricting traffic from accessing Sunland Park Drive and all four Sunland Park ramps. The closure allowed crews to open the new Sunland Park flyover ramp and install a traffic pattern shift at the Sunland Park overpass.

Eastbound traffic was shifted away from the main lanes of I-10 and onto the new collector-distributor (CD) lanes. The detour allowed crews to demolish and rebuild a portion of I-10 East where it bridges over an arroyo.

Photos showed the steel structure of the former Sunland Park flyover ramp and new turnaround bridges flanking the old Sunland Park overpass. Crews scheduled demolitions over several 57-hour weekend closures.

The Paisano (US 85) direct connector ramps over I-10 were constructed to provide motorists with an alternate route to I-10, giving eastbound/westbound commuters relief.

March 2018

An aerial image taken March 30, 2018 showed partial demolition of the Sunland Park flyover ramp. Overpass demolition was scheduled to follow in early May 2018 to completely replace structures at the I-10/Sunland Park interchange.

Images from March 30, 2018 also showed the removal of the I-10 Westbound overpass, new support columns, and development of the dedicated right-turn lane from South Desert Boulevard. Work was also set to begin on replacing pavement on North Mesa Street (SH 20) between Remcon Circle and Osborne Drive.

Images captured the Resler Drive flyover ramp over I-10, with westbound CD lanes paved and eastbound CD lanes developing, along with four arroyo bridges. A total of 29 bridges were constructed, replaced, or widened during the project.

The new US 85 overpasses and direct-connector ramps represent final pieces to complete Loop 375 connection improvements.

More pages: Tráfico y Construcción · WHAT ARE CD LANES? · Join the Construction Team