EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Businesses along Artcraft Road in Northwest El Paso are being demolished to extend the Texas Department of Transportation’s State Highway 178 project.
The $243.7 million dollar project will help important trade and commercial activities within Texas, New Mexico and Chihuahua, according to TxDOT. SH178 (Artcraft) serves the Santa Teresa Port of Entry, and the land near the road has experienced rapid residential and commercial development, resulting in increased safety hazards and traffic congestion.
The proposed project includes four direct connectors at the interchange of Interstate 10 and SH178, which will allow drivers to bypass the frontage road, traffic light signals and traffic congestion on North and South Desert Boulevard, TxDOT said.
Additionally, the project also proposed U-turn bridges at the SH178/I-10 interchange and grade separations at the intersections of SH178/Upper Valley Road, and SH178/Westside Drive. Entrance and exit ramps to SH178 are proposed to accommodate the grade separations.
TxDOT has listed the following project benefits:
Provides Transportation Efficiencies
Streamlines traffic flow at the I-10/SH 178 (Artcraft Road) interchange.
Decreases delays at intersections with North Desert Boulevard, South Desert Boulevard, Upper Valley Road, and Westside Drive by allowing traffic on SH 178 (Artcraft Road) to pass over traffic signals.
Enhances east-west connectivity to NM 136 and the Santa Teresa Border Crossing by providing a modernized roadway.
Facilitates movement of oversized loads through the I-10/SH 178 (Artcraft Road) interchange, including trucks traveling to/from the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Intermodal Facility and the Santa Teresa Port of Entry.
Reduces Barriers to Employment Centers
Provides improved access to activity centers, such as West Towne Marketplace, FoxConn, UPRR Intermodal Facility, and Artcraft Business Park.
Addresses Safety
Reduces vehicular conflict points and speeding due to new access controls at key intersections within the corridor.
Reduces vehicular conflict points at intersections due to new grade separations.
TxDOT said the demolition of the businesses is phase one of four, and on track to be completed in 2030. Officials say crews are currently working on columns and caps for flyovers and the turnaround bridges.
The upcoming high-traffic disruption that drivers should anticipate will occur when TxDOT installs beams on the turnaround bridges and closes the westbound Transmountain exit by March.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.