Jun 26th 2020 | Posted in Transportation by Texas Government Insider

Texas transportation officials are starting project planning for the $750 million Interstate 10 expansion in downtown El Paso.

At a virtual meeting June 25, they provided details on the 5.6-mile “Downtown 10” expansion from Executive Center Boulevard to Loop 478 (Copia Street).

Rendering of ‘Downtown 10’ project in El Paso

The proposed improvements include reconstruction of the mainlanes, retaining walls, bridges, ramps, and cross streets to overcome deterioration of pavement and bridges. Acquiring right of way and building parks on bridges over the below-grade portions of the expansion could increase the total project cost to an estimated $1.1 billion, some of which would be paid by the city of El Paso and other organizations.

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will develop several expansion alternatives, including a no-build option, as the project enters the preliminary design phase and environmental process. These steps will precede detailed design and construction phases.

The downtown segment is the second in TxDOT’s four-segment project study titled “Reimagine I-10” that focuses on 55 miles of Interstate 10 along the corridor from the New Mexico state line to FM 3380 (Aguilera International Highway).

Segment 1 travels from the New Mexico state line to Executive Center Boulevard in El Paso. Segment 3 continues from U.S. 54 to Loop 375, and Segment 4 connects Loop 375 to FM 3380.

More than 300,000 daily vehicle trips are expected on the I-10 Corridor by 2042.