County projects to look out for in 2018
El Paso County Commissioners said 2018 will be an important year for improving road infrastructure, public parks and sewage issues.
ABC-7 asked each county commissioner which marquee projects or goals they have for their precincts this year.
Precinct 1 county commissioner Carlos Leon said a community in his precinct will get a sewer service. Leon said it will affect about 250 families who live off of Square Dance Road which is north of Montana in far East El Paso County.
MAP OF PRECINCTS IN EL PASO COUNTY
“It’s an $8 million project that is costing the tax payers zero. It’s part of a USDA program,” Leon said. “I’m happy to report that this sewer system is not only going to go to the streets — usually it just goes to the street and then it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to connect it from their home to the street. But in this case, they will connect it to their home and shut off their septic tanks.”
Precinct 2 county commissioner David Stout said Ascarate Park will continue to see improvements.
“We’re investing about $1.8 million in the park this budget. We’re going to be buying a boat to trench the lake to keep the algae and the vegetation there at a minimum,” Stout said.
Stout also said he’s working on bringing back the idea of creating Municipal IDs for residents. El Paso City Council voted against establishing those IDs in August of 2017.
Precinct 3 county commissioner Vince Perez said he’s focused on improving road infrastructure.
One of the projects he’s looking to start construction on is the widening of Pellicano Drive. Pellicano would be expanded into six lanes, including bike lanes, from Loop 375 to Darrington Road.
“We’re trying to do the most that we can in the time that we have to ensure that there’s adequate infrastructure,” Perez said. “I’m looking forward to closing out some of those projects this fiscal year.”
Precinct 4 county commissioner Andrew Haggerty is also looking to expand major roadways for his constituents. He’s hoping to get the Resler Drive expansion to Westway on the books this year.
“We’re expanding Resler all the way to give them a separate exit point, in case of an emergency,” Haggerty said. “Right now there’s only one entrance and exit zone. It just gives them more access.”
