Motorists in El Paso should brace for traffic disruptions as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) commences a new phase of the I-10 widening project. According to TxDOT, closures will affect various segments of I-10 from Mesa to the New Mexico/Texas state line, with a significant impact expected on daily commutes and transportation schedules.
Beginning today, and running through Thursday, February 27, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., South Desert Boulevard will be shut down south of Redd Road to allow crews to construct a retaining wall. TxDOT advises a detour via Redd Road, Doniphan, and Thorn Avenue to circumvent the closure. To further complicate travel, alternating lane reductions to one lane on I-10 East and West between Mesa Street and Redd Road will be enforced from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, February 24, through Saturday, March 1, as crews diligently work to haul dirt in the area.
Other closures include a total shutdown of I-10 West at Artcraft Road on the nights of February 24 and 25. Detours will route traffic onto the exit at SH 178/Artcraft Road before rejoining I-10 West past Vinton Road. Electrical work on Redd Road will result in alternating lane reductions at South Desert Boulevard and North Desert Boulevard from February 24 to March 1, during daytime hours.
A 49-hour closure starting at 4 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, through 5 a.m. on Monday, March 3, will see I-10 East closed at Vinton Road and I-10 West at Transmountain Road. TxDOT has mapped out detours that involve main thoroughfares such as Doniphan and Talbot Avenue for those needing to quickly navigate around the closures. Additionally, permanent changes set to take effect on March 3 include the opening of I-10 East and West main lanes at Los Mochis Drive, with new entrance and exit ramps at Transmountain Road offering some relief to the disruption.
Long-term closures are also announced in association with the I-10 Widening West project's second phase, which extends from Vinton to the NM/TX state line. These include alternating lane closures that began on Monday, February 24, and continuing through Saturday, March 1. TxDOT has further specified a prolonged closure through Spring 2026 at Valley Chile Road Turnaround, with a detour that will redirect traffic via Vinton Road and North Desert Boulevard. The purpose of this extended disruption is to accommodate the reconstruction and widening of the bridge at Valley Chile Road.
