The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is working with the El Paso Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office to help traffic flow in West El Paso during highway closures.
During the closure of I-10 between Executive Center and Sunland Park on Sunday, officers were directing traffic along Mesa. Traffic was backed up for miles as drivers were rerouted off of I-10 and onto Mesa and Sunland Park Drive.
As part of GO 10, a reconstruction project on I-10 that aims to improve traffic flow, TxDOT has contracted police officers and sheriff's deputies to direct traffic. Officers are on patrol along Mesa this week as well, as that portion of the highway is closed overnight.
Officials with the El Paso Police Department say the traffic control has led to fewer crashes and better flow.
Last Sunday, TxDOT contracted 27 off-duty officers to direct traffic on Mesa and Sunland Park Drive. For nighttime closures like those this week, there are fewer officers who are out and only at the major intersections.
According to TxDOT 's District Engineer Bob Bielek, a full weekend closure costs TxDOT about $40,000, while a nighttime closure costs about $15,000. For a project like GO 10, which is expected to last several years, TxDOT set aside at least $3-4 million dollars just for traffic control.
