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Presentation
Project Description
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) El Paso District is proposing improvements to State Highway 178 (SH 178), also known as Artcraft Road, from the Texas/New Mexico state line through El Paso to Interstate 10 (I-10). SH 178 (Artcraft Road) on El Paso’s northwest side represents a vital link for the community in terms of access to jobs, education, healthcare, entertainment, and retail.
It also comprises an important part of the region’s transportation network that serves vital trade and commercial activities of Texas, New Mexico, and Chihuahua and has economic impact throughout the United States and Mexico.
The area adjacent to SH 178 (Artcraft Road) has been subject to rapid residential and commercial development for the last five years. The area’s recent growth has created the need to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion along SH 178 (Artcraft Road), as well as at the intersecting streets of Westside Drive and Upper Valley Road.
In addition, development near and around the SH 178 (Artcraft Road)/I-10 interchange, including West Towne Marketplace, resulted in a traffic increase of 34% from 2017 to 2020, creating the need to reduce traffic congestion in this area.
Using a multimodal approach, the project would connect gaps that currently exist at Sunset Terrace Linear Trail.
Shared-use paths would be improved or constructed along the SH 178 (Artcraft Road) right of way.
Pedestrian safety would be improved when crossing at the BNSF railroad tracks and I-10 through an ADA accessible pedestrian shared-use path.
Traffic Analysis
Improvements would address safety by reducing vehicular conflict points and speeding due to new access controls at key intersections within the corridor.
The project would also reduce vehicular conflict points at intersections due to new grade separations.
SH 178 Improvements Flythrough
Residents have experienced increased congestion and travel delay, and the mix of truck and passenger vehicles using the thoroughfare every day has raised concerns about safety, including encounters with large freight vehicles.
A traffic analysis conducted in conjunction with the preparation of design plans shows that the character of the commercial traffic has evolved, and enhancements to this section of SH 178 (Artcraft Road) are justified.
Drainage Analysis
The drainage analysis has determined that increases in runoff from the project will be mitigated by the modified existing 12 ponding areas and 8 proposed ponding areas. In areas. In addition to other drainage appurtenances including: 24' RCPs, grate inlets, curb inlets, roadside ditches, and deck drains.
*RCP= reinforced concrete pipe
Click and drag to see the progression of a rain event along the SH 178 (Artcraft Road) corridor.
Roadway Schematic
With development at the forefront of the expected changes to the corridor, TxDOT has been examining possible improvements to three miles of SH 178 (Artcraft Road) from the Texas/New Mexico state line to the I-10 interchange. The proposed improvements would result in transportation efficiencies.
The project would enhance east-west connectivity to NM 136 and the Santa Teresa Border Crossing by providing a modernized roadway.
It would also decrease delays at intersections with Upper Valley Road and Westside Drive by allowing through-traffic along SH 178 (Artcraft Road) on proposed overpasses, avoiding traffic signals; and facilitate movement of oversized loads through the I-10/SH 178 (Artcraft Road) interchange.
The project would also provide access to activity centers, such as Doña Ana County International Jetport and Artcraft Business Center.
Existing Cross Section
The SH 178 corridor is a divided arterial highway with an existing ROW width that varies between 152’ and 460’: being narrower at the Rio Grande Overpass and wider at areas where existing drainage basins and embankment side slopes are located. The IH 10 corridor is an urban freeway with a typical existing ROW width of 450’.
Proposed Cross Section
Along SH 178 (Artcraft Road), between I-10 and SH 20 (Doniphan Drive), proposed improvements include access control measures, reconstruction, and extension of existing frontage roads in both directions. Grade-separated interchanges are planned at Upper Valley Road and Westside Drive. Each grade-separated interchange would feature four elevated lanes over these streets and entrance and exit ramps connecting to two-lane frontage roads along SH 178 (Artcraft Road).
Environmental Review
TxDOT works with FHWA and other federal agencies to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and operates under NEPA assignment, where TxDOT is the state approval authority. The SH 178 project has obtained approval to be processed as an Open-Ended (d) Categorical Exclusion (CE).
The following analyses are being prepared for the proposed project to fulfill the CE requirements: Biological Resources, Water Resources, Cultural Resources, Hazardous Materials, Traffic Noise, Air Quality, and Community Impacts Assessment.
Check out the interactive environmental constraints map below
SH 178 Constraints Map
Section 4(f)/Chapter 26 - Sunset Terrace Linear Trail
The proposed project would permanently acquire a portion of the Sunset Terrace Linear Trail, which would result in the direct use of approximately 783.67 square feet (SF) (less than one percent total park area) where it connects to SH 178. The project would occupy an additional 21.87 square feet for temporary construction licenses. However, this area would be restored as park use.
A new shared use path at this location would be installed and the existing trail connection would be reconstructed to maintain continuity of the trail.
As the project would not adversely affect the features, attributes, or activities qualifying Sunset Terrace Linear Trail for protection under Section 4(f), TxDOT is seeking a determination that the project would have a de minimis impact on this Section 4(f) property.
Feedback
For general questions about the project, please contact:
Sheetal Patel: (915) 790-4436 sheetal.patel@txdot.gov
or
Blasita J. Lopez: (915) 304-5112 bjuarezlopez@hntb.com
