Rebuilding Levees Means Ripping Out Running Trails

Some runners in El Paso’s Upper Valley are going to have to look for a new jogging trail. Their old one, along the Rio Grande, has been ripped up and reduced to nothing more than piles of rock and tons of dirt.

The International Boundary and Water Commission received $220 million to rebuild levees throughout El Paso and Dona Ana County. Unfortunately for nearby residents, the work involves tearing up the cement walkways along the river.

“Either part of the road has been removed or in some cases, it’s been covered with dirt so trucks can drive over it and not crack it. Those areas will be restored once construction is complete,” Sally Spener, the spokeswoman for IBWC, said. “Unfortunately, it’s going to occur due to construction, but it’s a minor inconvenience, and a temporary one.”

The big rocks may mean big headaches for outdoor enthusiasts in the area, but it could also mean saving some big bucks.