Projects designed to ease congestion in Far East El Paso County break ground

County and transportation officials broke ground Tuesday on several projects designed to improve mobility and reduce congestion in areas experiencing rapid growth.

Representatives from Texas Department of Transportation, Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority, City of Socorro, Town of Horizon City and City of San Elizario as well county officials gathered at the intersection of Mission Ridge Boulevard and Paseo del Este Drive in Far East El Paso County, where they put shovels to the dirt.

“This is an area that is outside the city limits. There a many subdivision, news homes that are popping up.” County Commissioner Vince Perez said. “There is a lot of congestion here during rush hour times in the mornings, in the afternoons. And there’s a lot of transportation infrastructure that need to be built.”

Eight transportation infrastructure projects totaling $112 million got underway Tuesday. They are part of the Comprehensive Mobility Plan, which was adopted by the El Paso County Commissioners Court.

The projects that have been in the design phase and are set for construction in the coming months are:
-Mission Ridge Boulevard-$5.9M (Pellicano Drive to Eastlake Blvd)
-Rojas Drive-$6.7M (Loop 375 to Eastlake Blvd)
-Eastlake Boulevard Phase I & II-$51.3M (I-10 to Horizon Blvd)
-Old Hueco Tanks Road-$13.5M (I-10 to North Loop Drive)
-Darrington Road-$5.7M (Pellicano Drive to Eastlake Blvd)
-Vista del Sol Drive-$3M (Loop 375 to Cherrington Road)
-Aguilera International Highway Phase II-$20.4M (Alameda Avenue [SH 20] to I-10)
-Greg Road-$5.7 (Vista del Este to Mike Price)

According to a new release, in December 2013, County Commissioners Court, along with TxDOT representatives, developed a $400 million County Comprehensive Mobility Plan comprised of 16 major projects throughout El Paso County and includes partnerships with the CRRMA and TxDOT-El Paso District Office. According to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of areas outside the city limits grew from 113,118 in 2000 to 151,126 in 2010, nearly double the rate of growth inside the city limits.

The CRRMA will oversee entire process of project development, including design and construction.

Other projects operational and construction improvements along Interstate10 including the GO 10 Project on the West Side, as well as improving connectivity between I-10 and the Border Highway, all aimed reducing traffic congestion.

Commissioners Court fist began work on this initiative in September 2013 by voting to increase vehicle registration fees by $10. The optional fee increase was made possible by legislative changes sponsored by State Sen. Jose Rodriguez and Transportation Chairman Joe Pickett during the made during the 83rd Legislative Session. Former Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission, Ted Houghton, got the state to match the money raised by the fees for the $400 million Comprehensive Mobility Plan.

“Increasing fees are never popular” Perez said. “But here in Texas we’re faced with a very difficult challenge where there isn’t a lot of transportation funding available. And we have a growing community with growing traffic needs. So we have to find innovative ways to address and pay for the transportation that we need.”