As of Monday, May 16, 2016, Oregon Street and some of its cross streets near The University of Texas at El Paso are being impacted by construction for the El Paso Streetcar Project. These closures will impact traffic going to and from major events at the Don Haskins Center, including several concerts and graduation ceremonies.
Oregon will be reduced to one lane in each direction from University Avenue to Glory Road. University will be reduced to a single lane in each direction at Oregon. In addition, Cincinnati Avenue will be closed to thru traffic from Oregon to Mesa Street, and Robinson Avenue will be closed to thru traffic from Mesa to just west of Oregon. These changes will be effective until late summer.
The closures are necessary to allow contractors to lay the first track along the right southbound transit lane. This track will be part of the streetcars’ initial line that will connect downtown El Paso’s shopping areas with UTEP, the international bridges and the Cincinnati entertainment district.
Don Haskins Center visitors planning to attend concerts including The Cure (May 17), The Scorpions (May 24) and James Taylor (June 21) or high school and college graduation ceremonies beginning May 21 and continuing through the month of June, are advised to plan for extra travel time to and from the venue.
Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians who travel in the area are asked to use caution.
Streetcar work along Oregon started in February 2016 with upgrades to underground utilities and storm drainage, and the pouring of concrete foundations that will hold the posts to carry the streetcars’ overhead electrical lines. Additional planned phases will be announced as the project progresses.
The Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority is tasked with constructing the project, using Texas Department of Transportation funding and a design provided by The City of El Paso.