Contact: Vincent M. Perez (202) 225-4831

GROUND BREAKING OF THE NEW $146 MILLION AMERICAS INTERCHANGE IN EAST EL PASO
Interchange is single largest federal Recovery Project in El Paso

**Reyes speaks at a special ceremony with NASA Astronaut Dr. Danny Olivas at the National Border Patrol Museum in El Paso

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Washington, Oct 11 - Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) will speak at the ground breaking ceremony for the new Americas Interchange at the intersection of I-10 and Loop 375 at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, October 12, 2010.  The Americas Interchange is the single largest construction project in El Paso funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) passed by Congress and enacted into law by President Obama in February 2009.  The interchange will have four ramps connecting Loop 375 to I-10.  Currently, drivers are forced to exit Loop 375 and I-10 and must use access roads merge into traffic in order to enter I-10 or the Loop.  The project will significantly improve traffic flow and relieve congestion in East El Paso.

“The new eastside ‘spaghetti bowl’ is the most significant Recovery Act project in El Paso,” Congressman Reyes said.  “It will not only improve traffic flow, but will also employ nearly 200 people in the months ahead.  Without the federal funding that is being invested in this effort, it would have taken several years to make this interchange happen.”

Nearly 70 percent ($96 million) of the $146 million project cost will be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is using $76 million in federal ARRA funding allocated to the State of Texas, and the City of El Paso is using $20 million in ARRA funds toward the project.  Fifteen million will be funded by the federal Coordinated Border Infrastructure Program, and approximately $30 million will come from the City of El Paso.  The remaining will $5 million will come from the state.  TxDOT estimates that 185 people will be employed through this project.

WHO:        Congressman Silvestre Reyes, Mayor John Cook, and other local and state officials

WHAT:      Ground breaking ceremony for the Americas Interchange Project

WHERE:    I-10 and Loop 375 (Northeast corner of the Americas Interchange)

WHEN:      TOMORROW, Tuesday, October 12, 2010
                   3:00 p.m.