Drivers on Mesa Street can expect to see crews from the Texas Department of Transportation hard at work for at least the next two months.

In an effort to make the city more attractive, crews will be landscaping the medians along Mesa near Sunland Park to Executive.

"I think it does make a difference for the drivers. It's not just driving and seeing desert. When you go into other cities, you notice they have so much vegetation. Well, El Paso doesn't, so I think this will contribute to make people happy to know their city is being kept up," said Blanca Del Valle, of the department of transportation.

However, the results won't be immediate.

The project means that crews and their heavy equipment will be working Monday through Friday for the next several weeks until at least 4 p.m., which means drivers are urged to use caution

"Any time there is a construction area, there's always precautions. Drive slowly, be aware of the area, be aware of the workers," Del Valle said.

The project along Mesa to Executive should be complete by the end of May, then crews will begin work on Sunbowl to Baltimore and on US 54 and Cassidy. That work is set to be complete by the end of this summer.

The $1 million project is funded in part by state money in addition to a contribution from Keep El Paso Beautiful.

Some residents think the money could be put to better use.

West El Paso resident Richard Chaparro said, "I think it does help the image of the city, but I think the money could be better spent on putting in bike lanes. Especially, being cyclists, we need the commuter lanes."

Jamie Gandara, who also is a cyclist, said, "It's a major roadway and a lot of cyclists use it whether they are commuters, racers, whatever...it's for safety-purposed now. If there is a rock in the median, that doesn't satisfy me."

Others disagree, and said the landscaping will be a positive step for the community.

Mike Dawson, of West El Paso, said, "I think it's a good idea. It's about time they did something here on the west side. (It) seems like we pay the bulk of the taxes over here, and they don't do anything to fix it up. This should help a lot to make it look like a nicer neighborhood."