EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — After more than a year of ongoing traffic concerns near the El Paso – Sunland Park border, the city is moving forward with a plan aimed at improving safety and easing congestion on Frontera Road, the only access point for several newer Sunland Park neighborhoods.
El Paso City Rep. Alejandra Chavez said the goal of the traffic mitigation project is to protect nearby El Paso residents from increased traffic tied to development across the state line.
El Paso City Representative Alejandra Chavez discussing traffic mitigation plan for Frontera Road. (CREDIT:KFOX14/CBS4)
“We want to ensure that their neighborhood streets are not overburdened by this traffic that could potentially come from developments in New Mexico,” Chavez said.
City Council approved $340,000 for design and construction, and design work began earlier this year.
The plan includes emergency-only access gates and a diverter intended to redirect New Mexico traffic back into New Mexico. Pedestrian and bike access will remain open, with the focus on managing vehicle traffic.
RECOMMENDED: City of El Paso challenges Texas Gas rate hike; proposes rehearing
El Paso City District 1 City Representative Brian Kennedy to host Frontera Road traffic study community meeting. (Credit: KFOX14/CBS4)
“There is going to be a diagonal diverter on La Adelita; there’s also going to be three emergency access gates that will be installed,” Chavez said.
Chavez said the gates are intended for first responders. “So emergency access gates are for first responders to go to and from the state line,” Chavez said.
Residents said the project is overdue, as traffic has worsened with continued growth in the area.
“The traffic is horrible in the mornings and in the afternoons. It’s just horrible. So if they want to make the streets bigger, like Frontera, if they widen it, that would help so much,” one resident said.
Another resident said, “So I’m pleased that at least we do have the funding from what I understand to do a diversion.”
RECOMMENDED: Trump says ‘people learn’ after El Paso airspace closure; Gonzales calls it unacceptable
Chavez said construction is expected to begin in early June and will take about four months.
A request for an interview with the city’s grant-funded programs director Joaquin Rodriguez was not secured in time for the report.
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.