EP Loses Road Funding Because of “Clerical Error”

develops. but clerical errors by city staff are keeping el pasoans from getting funding for four specific road projects. the metropolitan planning organization, or m- p-o, was set to move forward on… .. roundabouts at edgemere and rich beem. and the paso del norte bridge. as well as changing railroad crossings within the city to keep the trains from blaring their horns as often. a fourth project is also on hold in el paso’s lower valley. here’s what winn road looks like now. it dead ends at the canal near the border highway. the new m-p-o project…. … would have extended winn road, making it run paralel to the canal… … and connect to the zaragoza port of entry. while working this story today… abc-seven learned the state is making changes so that the clerical errors at the local level won’t jeopardize the projects already in the works. reporter josie ortegon with the new information… that’s right estela, state rep joe picket called our newsroom late this afternoon, letting us know this problem is not being overlooked. and as our city grows, along with traffic… every penny counts: rep ordaz: “we lost the funding i don’t agree that it was pushed down the road, to other entities that are benefitting from our mistakes. every year, the board is authorized by the state to spend a certain amount of money. sometimes the state is left with excess money, which enties in the region can apply for. but it’s a competitive process that leaves little room for error: rep acosta: “the mpo wants to make sure all the i’s are dotted and all the t’s are crossed.” in this case–the mpo’s transportation policy board,submitted 7 applications. three were funded. the rest–were incomplete or had mistakes: “sometimes, it’s oversight, when you’re uploading documents,you think everything is cool and it’s not.” the winn project would connect the road to the zaragosa international bridge–increasing trade in the borderland. ordaz says it’s the second time the project missed out on funding because of clerical errors: ordaz-“it was 20-million dollar it’s a huge chunk of money, and it was a big project that we considered a priority in 2012 and know, who knows when it’s again.” acosta-“the money is not lost it’s still in the programming year that it was allocated in..” the city can apply for funding again in the fall. still–ordaz says it’s unnaceptable: “we need to hol ourselves accountable to make sure these mistakes don’t happen again.” the city created a team that will oversee documentation that will be submitted. the city will meet every month to discuss transportation projects, which will be open to the public. josie, thank you for that break down. a man found dead in las cruces was