The I-10 widening project through West El Paso — at least a portion of it — is slowly winding its way closer to the finish line.
The first portion of the project kicked off in February 2022 when the Texas Department of Transportation allocated $174.3 million for extensive work between Mesa Street and Vinton, including additional lanes, reconstructed frontage roads, reconfigured ramps and other updates.
That portion of the project is set to wrap by fall.
Crews are currently installing a bridge deck on Redd Road and the overpass at Los Mochis is expected to be completed by the end of March, a representative for TxDOT stated.
An image from the Texas Department of Transportation shows the scope of work being done along I-10 between San Antonio and Mesa streets. Construction along this section of the interstate is expected to be completed by fall.
But two other projects are still underway and will take years longer to complete — the second portion of the I-10 expansion from Vinton to Antonio Street in Anthony and a complete overhaul of Artcraft Road.
“The projects are progressing as prescribed by the plans,” TxDOT El Paso Engineer Tomás Treviño said in an email. “We are confident they’ll continue to go well.”
Upgrades on Artcraft Road
The project at Artcraft Road is expected to begin in March and will be a five-year endeavor. It represents a dramatic change for the area, which has seen strong growth over the last few years.
At $208.5 million, it is the largest project along I-10 in West El Paso.
An image from the Texas Department of Transportation shows where work will be completed along I-10 at Artcraft Road. The area is set for a major overhaul that is slated to take $208.5 million and five years to complete.
The project is aimed at improving safety and reliability of travel time in the area and better accommodating oversized truck loads. Following are the improvements set to be made in the area:
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Four direct connectors, Texas turnaround bridges at South Desert Boulevard and I-10
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Include access control measures, reconstruction and widening, and extending frontage roads in both directions
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Upper Valley Road and West Side Drive planned improvements include grade separated interchanges, ramps to SH 178, and frontage roads.
Update on second I-10 widening project
The second portion of the I-10 widening project stretches from Vinton to Antonio Street in Anthony.
The $110 million project just recently got underway and will take three-and-a-half years to complete. TxDOT did not provide a starting date for the project.
More: El Paso highway projects get $326M in new funding in updated TxDOT plan
Work will include 3.2 miles of widening and resurfacing and 11.2 miles of aesthetic and landscape improvements around the Los Mochis, Artcraft, Thorn and Reed interchanges where space allows.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Artcraft Road overhaul project set to start in early March
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