El Paso, Texas – With the start of the academic year just days away, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in El Paso is reminding college students to practice safe riding habits on electric scooters. The advisory comes as the agency implements a slate of night‑time road closures and construction activities that will affect several key corridors throughout the city.

Safety reminder for scooter riders

Lauren Macias‑Cervantes, a spokesperson for TxDOT El Paso, emphasized that electric scooters, while convenient, present new safety challenges for both motorists and pedestrians. “We ask students and all riders to stay alert, obey traffic signals, and wear helmets where possible,” Macias‑Cervantes said. The department also urged riders to use designated bike lanes and to avoid sidewalks where scooters are prohibited.

Upcoming road work and closures

TxDOT has scheduled a series of night‑time projects beginning Sunday, August 23 and running through Friday, August 28. The work includes high‑mast lighting installation, welding on steel girders, milling, paving, guard‑rail installation, and shoulder repairs on several major routes:

• Artcraft Project: Nightly work from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. on August 23‑25 (high‑mast operations) and August 23‑27 (welding).
• Loop 375 Rehabilitation: Nightly milling, paving, and guard‑rail work on August 23‑24 and August 25‑27, plus daytime maintenance on August 24‑28.
• Road Repair: Daytime detour on August 26 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Guardrail Repair: Daytime work from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 25‑28.
• I‑10 Landscape and Aesthetics Project: Daily sealing of joints from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 24‑28.
• Purple Heart 375 Widening Project: Shoulder work daily from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. August 24‑28.

Drivers are encouraged to follow posted detour signs and allow extra travel time during the night‑time construction windows.

Impact on students and commuters

The timing of the projects coincides with the return of students to the University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso Community College, and other local institutions. Many students rely on e‑scooters for short trips between dorms, classrooms, and off‑campus jobs. By issuing the safety advisory now, TxDOT hopes to reduce the risk of accidents during a period when traffic patterns will be altered by both construction and increased pedestrian activity.

Local law enforcement agencies have been briefed on the construction schedule and will increase patrols in affected areas to enforce traffic laws and assist riders who may become confused by temporary lane changes.

What riders can do

TxDOT recommends the following steps for safe scooter use during the construction period:

• Plan routes ahead of time and check for posted detours.
• Ride at a moderate speed, especially in low‑light conditions.
• Yield to pedestrians and use hand signals when turning.
• Keep a flashlight or reflective gear on hand for night rides.
• Report any hazardous conditions to the TxDOT hotline at 1‑800‑555‑TXDOT.

By following these guidelines, students can help keep the streets of El Paso safe for everyone while the city upgrades its infrastructure for the long term.

Looking ahead

TxDOT’s construction schedule is part of a broader effort to improve road safety, reduce congestion, and modernize the transportation network across the El Paso region. The department will continue to provide updates through its website and local media outlets as projects progress.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.