texasfreeway.com El Paso pics.
James W. Anderson
were posted to texasfreeway.com recently.
Noticed some differences from what I had seen years ago.
First off, all the 'I-10 EAST (or WEST) small BGSs that were over the
leftmost lane were all removed. Also, all button copy signs (the
originals on this road) are now all gone as well.
Very good coverage of the 'Spaghetti Factory' stack interchange
(US-54/I-10). Could not tell which ones involve the mess at Paisano
Street just south of that, though.
No pictures were seen showing the 'Gateway' roads (feeders) clearly.
I-10 has three-lane feeders on each side, while US-54 may only have
two-lane feeders. Also, what about what Rand McNally labels as
freeway for Loop 375? Just saw the non-freeway section and maybe two
other freeway section pics. What about that long section that grazes
the border on the southeast side that Rand-McNally may erroneously
have labeled as freeway?
Overall, this appears to be very comprehensive. Good job, eric!
Adam Froehlig
> Just saw the non-freeway section and maybe two other freeway section
> pics. What about that long section that grazes the border on the
> southeast side that Rand-McNally may erroneously have labeled as
> freeway?
Based on Terraserver images that I have viewed previously, some of that
"southeast side" section of Loop 375 is indeed freeway.
Froggie | Long Beach, MS | http://www.ajfroggie.com/roads/
stéphane dumas
"Adam Froehlig" <fro...@mississippi.net> a écrit dans le message news:
3B20AA7E...@mississippi.net...
> > Also, what about what Rand McNally labels as freeway for Loop 375?
> > Just saw the non-freeway section and maybe two other freeway section
> > pics. What about that long section that grazes the border on the
> > southeast side that Rand-McNally may erroneously have labeled as
> > freeway?
>
> Based on Terraserver images that I have viewed previously, some of that
> "southeast side" section of Loop 375 is indeed freeway.
Also I wonder if the east section between US62/US180 and I-10 have enough
ROW to be converted as a freeway? Same between US54 and the "western
terminus" of Loop 375 freeway than RandMcNally show?
>
> Froggie | Long Beach, MS | http://www.ajfroggie.com/roads/
Stéphane Dumas steph...@videotron.ca
Michael G. Koerner
>
> "Adam Froehlig" <fro...@mississippi.net> a écrit dans le message news:
> 3B20AA7E...@mississippi.net...
> > > Also, what about what Rand McNally labels as freeway for Loop 375?
> > > Just saw the non-freeway section and maybe two other freeway section
> > > pics. What about that long section that grazes the border on the
> > > southeast side that Rand-McNally may erroneously have labeled as
> > > freeway?
> >
> > Based on Terraserver images that I have viewed previously, some of that
> > "southeast side" section of Loop 375 is indeed freeway.
>
> Also I wonder if the east section between US62/US180 and I-10 have enough
> ROW to be converted as a freeway? Same between US54 and the "western
> terminus" of Loop 375 freeway than RandMcNally show?
The USGS 7.5 minute topos of the El Paso area show that LOOP 375 is
entirely 'freeway' east of US 54/I-110, all the way back to I-10.
Perhaps the Federal Government is wrong on that one.
--
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Appleton, WI
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Erik Slotboom
It was truly a pleasure driving on most of El Paso's roads and freeways.
Even on a regular weekday (Thursday, May 31), the freeways (except I-10)
were practically deserted. Even during rush hour, the number of cars was
minimal. There was steady traffic on I-10 all day, including a lot of
trucks, but traffic moved well even during rush hour.
A few answers to the questions:
The southeast section of Loop 375, from downtown (east of 110/54) to IH-10
east is a full freeway, and traffic is very light. Most of it has four
lanes, and there are no feeders along the border section. It runs right
along the border, and the feeder road interchanges at the intersections all
have stop signs due to light traffic. The Rio Grande river is channelized
into a narrow, concrete channel right next to the freeway. The wide Rio
Grande flood plain prevents any views into Mexico. This section is heavily
fortified and well-patrolled by the "Migra". When Loop 375 curves northward
away from the border at the Zaragosa border crossing, the freeway gets
feeder roads. This section of freeway is brand-new.
North of IH-10 to US 62/180, Loop 375 consists of feeder roads. I would
estimate the right-of-way to be 250 feet (somewhat narrow); the median space
will easily handle a six-lane freeway. North of 62/180, Loop 375 becomes a
four-lane freeway again. This section traverses Fort Bliss. There are no
feeders, and the entire section is fenced off. There was almost no traffic
on this section. About 1 mile east of US 54, the freeway ends. The
right-of-way is quite narrow (I would estimate 200-220 feet), but there is
enough space to squeeze in a four lane freeway and the feeders. About a mile
of freeway is built on the narrow right-of-way in the vicinity of Dyer
Street.
West of US 54, Loop 375 is a four-lane divided. This is the trans-mountain
section of the highway through the rugged Franklin Mountains. The
surrounding land is all military or parkland. As Loop 375 approaches IH-10,
it is reduced to a 2-lane highway for about 2 miles. El Paso has recently
petitioned the Texas Transportation Commision to get this section upgraded.
The road along the border west of downtown, US85/Paisano, is not a freeway,
but has recently been approved for upgrading to a freeway in the medium to
long-term future. This is an interesting section of roadway. From it, you
have good views of the shantytowns in Juarez, Mexico. It travels right next
to a large smelter (which appeared to be inactive), and you can see the
wimpy Rio Grande in its natural state.
The US 54 freeway north of IH-10 was surprisingly wide and modern. It would
be impressive in Houston or Los Angeles. The wide (10-12 lane) section
rapidly drops lanes and is reduced to four lanes about 4-5 miles north of
IH-10. The freeway main lanes end just north of Loop 375.
IH-10 has a 10-lane section east of downtown, long 8-lane sections leading
to downtown, and six-lane sections further out. At Loop 375 on both ends,
IH-10 has 4 lanes (plus feeders, of course.)
There is presently a study in progress for the Loop 375/IH-10 east
interchange.
http://www.ih10americasinterchange.com/
Look for a stack to be recommended, especially since TxDOT is under
increasing pressure to pay more attention to the border region.
Eventually I'll have location maps and regular web pages for these photos.
"James W. Anderson" <jan...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:33c45d34.0106...@posting.google.com...
Don Hagstrom
catch the best parts of El Paso's freeways and landscape. The pictures of
Mexico's shantytowns, while somebering, are a good reminder to us in the US
of what could happen to us if we fail to provide for economic growth and
keep with infrastructure and housing needs. Seem far off? Its only as
close as the border.
Don
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http://www.fixtraffic.org Fighting for the Rebuilding and Expansion of
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Discussion at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sc_hwys
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"Erik Slotboom" <eslo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9fs181$64$1...@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu...
> I was able to get a good batch of photos on my El Paso trip.
>
> It was truly a pleasure driving on most of El Paso's roads and freeways.
> Even on a regular weekday (Thursday, May 31), the freeways (except I-10)
> were practically deserted. Even during rush hour, the number of cars was
> minimal. There was steady traffic on I-10 all day, including a lot of
> trucks, but traffic moved well even during rush hour.
>
(snip)
Dyche Anderson
Rd.
My first job was right off that exit. When I worked in El Paso (I never lived in El Paso,
I lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico at the time) it seemed like no one EVER referred to it
as
375. Trans Mountain Rd was Trans Mountain Rd, and the Border Highway portion was called
the
Border Highway. The part through Ft. Bliss was not built.
El Paso traffic must have improved over the years. When I worked there, it wasn't bad,
except that the point where I-10 narrowed from three lanes to two between Downtown and the
airport was ALWAYS slow - even on a Saturday afternoon when there was no traffic.
On the other hand, I commuted from Las Cruces to the West Side, and came in before there
was any traffic on the road. For that matter, at that time the New Mexico State Police
did not patrol I-10 before 6:30 or 7:00 AM. All you had to do was slow down at the Texas
State Line. My car pool partner forgot once. Just once.
My biggest beef about El Paso traffic was the frequency of which Mexicans (cars with
Mexico plates) drove very slowly on the freeway. They would see a sign saying
"Speed Limit 55" - and drive 55 -- km/hr. Dangerous. It made me a proponent of
showing the speed limits in both english and metric, or at the very least show the
units on the sign.
Dyche Anderson