María Cortés González

El Paso Times

The César Chávez Border Highway and a portion of the Segundo Barrio will be closed to traffic and pedestrians Feb. 17 during Pope Francis' visit to Juárez, El Paso officials announced Tuesday.

The closing of the area to everyone, even pedestrians, strays from previous plans that were being considered, some of which included letting people walk to the highway to be near the site of the papal Mass.

During the City Council meeting before Tuesday's news conference, the City Council voted to authorize the expenditure of an amount likely to exceed $1 million for salaries, barricades, facilities, equipment and supplies related to the pope's visit to the border.

Mayor Oscar Leeser, flanked by representatives of various law enforcement agencies, said the road closures are needed because "the most important part of our role is for the safety of the pope and the community."

Loop 375, from U.S. 54 to Santa Fe Street, will be closed in both directions for a 24-hour period starting at 3 a.m. Feb. 17. Another portion of the loop, from U.S. 54 to Yarbrough Drive, also will be closed to vehicles, pedestrians and bicycle traffic starting at 10 a.m. and continuing until the pope leaves the Mass location in Juárez.

Pope Francis will be in Juárez on the last leg of his Mexico tour. It will be the first visit by a pope to the El Paso-Juárez area. Some 450,000 people from both sides of the border are expected to be at the Mass in Juárez and on streets along the route to his stops in the city, officials have said.

Leeser said, "We want to make sure everyone is able to move around El Paso in a safe manner and to continue to work together. The pope is coming to Juárez, to our region, and it's going to be one of the biggest things that has happened in our community."

As a result of the papal Mass, city streets bounded by Loop 375 to the south, Campbell Street to the west, Paisano Drive to the north and Coles/First streets to the east will have limited access to traffic starting at 3 a.m. Feb. 17.

In the City Council meeting, city Rep. Cortney Niland expressed concern for residents having access to their homes Feb. 17. However, police officials assured her residents and businesses would have access and would be notified in advance.

"The only vehicle traffic we will allow in will be the residents that live there, and we will coordinate with them in community meetings," said Assistant Police Chief Patrick Maloney.

Community meetings will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, and 6 p.m. Monday at the Armijo Recreation Center gymnasium, 700 E. Seventh Ave.

Once Pope Francis arrives at the old Juárez fairgrounds for the Mass, no one in the El Paso neighborhood will be allowed to leave or re-enter the restricted area until the pope leaves the Mass.

"We encourage residents who want to attend the pope's event to attend the Sun Bowl," Maloney said. The Catholic Diocese of El Paso will have its "Two Nations, One Faith" event Feb.17 at Sun Bowl Stadium in honor of Pope Francis.

Maloney added that "Delta (Drive) also is going to be closed from Boone (Street) to Paisano and then Campbell, from Paisano north to I-10, as an emergency vehicle route. Cotton (Street) is going to be closed from Paisano north to I-10; that's also closed for an emergency vehicle route."

Sun Metro will have Park and Ride services available Feb. 17 for the Sun Bowl for a round-trip fare of $3. People are asked to have exact change. Parking is free at the Sun Metro lots.

Departures will be scheduled every 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the following locations: 1165 Sunmount Drive near Cielo Vista Mall, Edgemere Boulevard at R.C. Poe Road, Diana Drive and Dyer Street and 7535 Remcon Circle.

Sun Metro also will extend its hours on fixed routes, with the last bus leaving at 10:15 p.m.

Officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection said they will have all lanes open Feb. 17. The Santa Teresa and Tornillo ports of entry will be open for passenger vehicles and pedestrians 24 hours a day Feb. 15-19. Drivers are asked to be prepared for long waits by having food, water, and any necessary medications.

People can keep up to date with the latest information on travel restrictions and road closures by logging onto pope915.com or by using #pope915 on Twitter.

María Cortés González may be reached at 546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @EPTMaria on Twitter.