If You Build it, Will They Come?

TxDOT says the Border West Expressway project is finished, but you can’t drive on it yet, according to this story from CBS4Local.com.

“While we are eager to open the roadway to the public, we are awaiting and finalizing required clearances and details from multiple collaborating entities,” said Jennifer Wright, spokeswoman for TxDOT.

I’m guessing they’re waiting for the Mayor to recover from hip surgery so he can make the ribbon-cutting photo op.

The Border West Expressway is a toll road.

Unlike the Cesar Chavez toll lanes, the Border West Expressway will not have enough space for drivers to weave in and out of the lanes to avoid getting charged, said Raymond Telles, executive director for the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority.

“There’s no way to avoid the charges,” said Telles.

“It’s either pay by mail, which is in the event that you don’t have stickers, you don’t have an account, or you don’t have any funds in your account. We’ll identify the owner of the vehicle and will send you a bill,” said Telles.

Who will take the toll road to save a couple of minutes? Paisano will take you Santa Fe Street nearly just as quick, and that intersection is only a half a mile from the end of the toll road.

And, judging by the drivers I encounter, no one in El Paso is in that much of a hurry.

You reckon that the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority will track down the owners of cars with Mexican plates?

Me neither.