Beginning on Monday, April 26, all traffic bound from Interstate 10 to the Bridge of the Americas will once again travel north on US 54 and utilize the Pershing Drive turnaround before traveling south on US 54 to access Juárez.
This temporary change in traffic control is in response to long backups which have delayed cross-town and even cross-country traffic on I-10 in El Paso in recent weeks.
“This temporary change will not eliminate construction-related back-ups at the Spaghetti Bowl, rather it will relocate them from westbound I-10 to southbound US 54,” said Jorge Oregel, P.E., I-10 Connect Project Manager. “Because it carries fewer automobiles each day than I-10, US 54 will be better able to accommodate the delays for Juárez-bound traffic which are expected to continue throughout the construction of this project. As a result, motorists on southbound US 54 are encouraged to reduce their speed, use extra caution and be prepared to stop when approaching the Spaghetti Bowl.”
In the current configuration, all traffic bound from eastbound I-10 and westbound I-10 to the Bridge of the Americas and US 54 is using a single ramp, contributing to the long backups.
“It is also important for commuters in El Paso and Juárez to remember the primary purpose of the I-10 Connect project is to connect I-10 and Loop 375 in Central El Paso,” Oregel said. “While the project will add storage capacity for southbound vehicles approaching the Bridge of the Americas, reducing crossing times is not one of the project’s goals.”
All ramps from I-10 and US 54 to Juárez are now scheduled to permanently open later this year. In the meantime, the following detours will be in place for traffic bound for the Bridge of the Americas:
- From westbound I-10: Take Exit 22B (US 54/Alamogordo/Fort Bliss/Juarez), veer right onto northbound US 54. Take Exit 23 (Cassidy Road), then take Exit 22B (Pershing Drive). Use the turnaround to Gateway Boulevard South, then enter southbound US 54. Merge left into the mainlines of US 54, then take Exit 21A (I-10 East/San Antonio/Juárez) and veer right to use the new flyover ramp to the Bridge of the Americas.
- From eastbound I-10: Take Exit 24A (Trowbridge Drive), use the turnaround to Gateway Boulevard West, enter westbound I-10, then follow the above detour.
- From southbound US 54: Take Exit 21A (I-10 East/San Antonio/Juárez) and veer right to use the new flyover ramp to the Bridge of the Americas
Closure Links: West Area Project Closures | East Area Project Closures
Mesa Rehabilitation Project
Continuous until further notice.
- Mesa northbound between Castellano and Festival reduced to one lane.
- Mesa southbound between Brentwood and Glory Road reduced to one lane.
- Crews will be working on roadway rehabilitation.
Thursday, April 29
Nightly, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Mesa southbound between Brentwood and Baltimore complete closure.
- Detour: Access for through traffic will be provided.
- Crews will be working on removing barriers.
Bridge Maintenance Project
Sunday, April 25 through Thursday, April 29
Nightly, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- I-10 westbound at Viscount bridge complete closure.
- All traffic directed to Viscount, Exit 28A.
- Crews will be replacing armor joints.
Riprap Project
Monday, April 26 through Friday, April 30
- I-10 westbound at Executive exit ramp closed.
- Detour: I-10 westbound at Schuster exit ramp.
- Crews will be working on concrete riprap over existing retaining walls.
Guardrail Repair Project
Monday, April 26
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- I-10 westbound between Mesa and Redd left lane closed.
- US-54 southbound between Pershing and Montana exit ramp right lane closed.
Tuesday, April 27
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- I-10 eastbound between Thorn and Mesa right lane closed with a complete Mesa exit ramp closure.
- I-10 eastbound between Hawkins and Airway right lane closed.
Wednesday, April 28
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- US-62 eastbound between St. Vrain and Paisano left lane closed.
- I-10 westbound between Schuster and Executive right lane closed with a complete Executive exit ramp closed.
Thursday, April 29
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- US-54 southbound between Montana an Ramp D (US-54 to I-10 East) left lane closed.
- Loop 375 eastbound between Padres and Zaragoza right lane closed.
Friday, April 30
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- North Desert between David and Nashua right lane closed.
- I-10 westbound between Resler and Mesa left lane closed.
Miscellaneous Concrete
Monday, April 26 through Tuesday, April 27
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- I-10 eastbound between Franklin to Piedras inside shoulder closed.
- I-10 westbound between Cotton and Mesa left lane closed.
- Crews will be repairing concrete barriers.
Loop 375 Widening Project
Monday, April 26 through Friday, April 30
Daily, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
- Joe Battle Boulevard southbound right lane closure between Pellicano Drive to Rojas Drive
- Joe Battle Boulevard northbound right lane closure between Rojas Drive to Pellicano Drive
- Americas Avenue southbound right lane closure between Gateway Boulevard East and North Loop Drive
- Americas Avenue southbound right lane closure between Pan American Drive and Southside Road
- Americas Avenue northbound right lane closure between North Loop Drive and Gateway Boulevard East
- Americas Avenue northbound left lane closure between Zaragoza Road and Joe Rodriguez Drive
Crews will be working on High Mast illumination infrastructure
Tuesday, April 27 through Thursday, April 29 (complete closure)
Nightly, 9 p.m. until 4 a.m.
- Loop 375 northbound complete lane closure between I-10 to Pellicano Drive
- Traffic will exit at North Loop and reenter at Pellicano entrance ramp
Crews will be working on work zone pavement markings and traffic barrier placement for Phase II configuration
Monday, April 26 (complete closure)
9 p.m. until 4 a.m.
- Loop 375 southbound complete lane closure between Pellicano Drive to I-10
- Traffic will exit at Pellicano Drive and reenter at North Loop Drive entrance ramp
Crews will be working on work zone pavement markings and traffic barrier placement for Phase II configuration
Montana Frontage Road Project
Tuesday, April 27
9 p.m. until 6 a.m.
- Montana Avenue eastbound multiple right lane closures between Lee Boulevard and Saul Kleinfeld Drive
Closure is necessary for demolition of traffic signal
IH-10 Mill and Overlay Project
Sunday, April 25 through Thursday, April 29 (complete closure)
Nightly, from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m.
- I-10 eastbound complete lane closure between McRae Boulevard and Lomaland Drive to include entrance and exit ramps and turnarounds
Crews will be performing milling and paving on bridges
Monday, April 26 through Friday, April 30
Daily, from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.
- Gateway Boulevard eastbound left shoulder and alternating lane closures between McRae Boulevard and Lomaland Drive to include entrance and exit ramps and turnarounds
- Gateway Boulevard westbound left shoulder and alternating lane closures between Lomaland Drive to McRae Boulevard to include entrance and exit ramps and turnarounds
Crews will be performing electrical work, rock wall installation and removal
