EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Scenic Drive has been closed to cars for more than a month after heavy rains damaged the roadway, and the wait to reopen it is frustrating many drivers this week.
City crews are repairing the road and rock wall, and officials say they’re also taking steps aimed at preventing similar damage in the future. Before the repairs began, rain washed away soil beneath part of the road, leaving it unsafe for drivers.
“The ground below the roadway actually washed away onto the hillside down the mountain,” said Randy Garcia, the city’s director of streets and maintenance.
The city said crews have completed concrete work and are now repairing sections of the rock wall. Crews are also adding a waterproofing measure along the roadway.
“We found areas along the roadway where we felt water was infiltrating below the roadway,” Garcia said. “Butted towe are putting some rubberized coating and additional asphalt material.”
The goal, Garcia said, is to help keep water from seeping under the road and rock wall. He said crews are waiting until all repairs and safety checks are complete before reopening Scenic Drive.
Pedestrians can still access the area, but vehicles are not allowed past the closures. Access is limited to police academy personnel and contractors who need to reach the mountain towers.
The city is targeting mid-November for reopening, but that timeline is not guaranteed. Garcia said the road will reopen all at once after a final inspection.
If you have a topic you would like to see featured in the “What’s Driving You Crazy?” segment, send an email to mamhernandez@sbgtv.com.
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