Bridge demolition on Interstate 10 starts in Mesquite

LAS CRUCES >> Demolition of an Interstate 10 overpass near Mesquite launched Tuesday, a project that prompted further narrowing of driving lanes in that area.

Officials continue to urge caution on the part of drivers, not only because of the congestion but also because of the still-fresh memory of a crash that claimed the lives of two construction workers on I-10 in El Paso this month.

In addition, more traffic may be taking to the roadways this weekend for Memorial Day weekend activities and the unofficial kickoff to summer.

Contractors with Rio Rancho-based El Terrero Construction on Tuesday began tearing down half of the Mesquite overpass the portion over the eastbound I-10 lanes.

Interstate 10 traffic is modified on Tuesday as demolition of the Mesquite overpass begins. (Robin Zielinski Sun-New)

As a result, all traffic eastbound and westbound is being directed under the other half of the bridge, highway officials said.

It means both directions of travel are on what are normally the westbound lanes when no construction is happening, said Bridget Spedalieri, spokeswoman for the New Mexico Department of Transportation.

"So, when we tear down the bridge and reconstruct it, traffic can keep going underneath," she said.

Eastbound travel already had been cut down to two lanes from three. But Monday, that was narrowed further to one lane.

Westbound travel was already narrowed to a single lane, and it will stay that way for the for the foreseeable future.

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Bridge demolition on Interstate 10 starts in Mesquite