Environmental Assessment For Potential Trans Mountain Freeway Raises Concerns

In 2008 El Paso City, County and State leaders approved the comprehensive mobility plan which included connecting Loop 375 and U.S 54.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has allocated the money for part of that project which includes a highway in city’s northwest side, but some city representatives aren’t sure that’s the right solution.

TxDOT has $80 million to spend on a highway from I-10 to the entrance of the Franklin Mountains State Park and they recently released this environmental assessment of the project.

City Rep. Susie Byrd and some residents say a highway will ruin the scenic corridor.

In the 338 page assessment, TxDOT looked into not building the freeway, building a boulevard or adding lanes to the existing road. They concluded a freeway – would be the best and safest solution to ease congestion.

But Byrd and open space advocates say a boulevard would be a better option – since it could meet commuter’s needs and be safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

“They know how to build freeways, they know how to build Zaragoza, they know how to build for cars, they don’t know how to consider pedestrians, cyclists, so this is kind of new territory for them,” she said, referring to TxDOT.

On top of the question of building the freeway, the city still has to decide what to zone the area around that road. El Paso City Council tentatively decided on smart code last month. That would allow development with some preservation. The city plan commission suggested that option.

But another group that advises council, the Open Space Advisory Board suggested city council zone the public land as natural open space, meaning no development would be allowed.

Some city leaders, like Ann Morgan Lilly and Steve Ortega say the zoning will not affect the Tx Dot freeway project. Byrd disagrees. She said the Federal Highway Administration has to consider the community’s wants and a highway could mean more development.

“We should be all about preserving all of those things that make El Paso special and driving a freeway up one of your most important assets is probably one of the most short-sighted things that we can do as a community,” said Byrd.

A citizens’ group, The Franklin Mountains Environmental Coalition is petitioning council to zone the area around the potential highway as natural open space to block development. They are expected, on Tuesday, to present the more than 1,500 signatures required to get council to reconsider the zoning decision. The city clerk will then have 30 working days to verify all the signatures are from registered city voters. Then city council will vote on the issue again. If they vote against natural open space, then the group can gather the signatures again and bring the issue to voters in the November election.

Byrd said this process could delay the TxDOT money since a freeway would inevitable bring development, and natural open space does not allow development.

Charlee Wakeem, a member of the Open Space Advisory Board said the FHA and TxDOT’s assessment showed damage to the area.

“This plan would destroy a half mile section of the scenic corridor which includes hillsides and an arroyo, and some of the most scenic beauty that we have,” he said.

Wakeem said he’s met with Texas Parks and Wildlife representatives, who, also have issues with TxDOT’s plan.

But Lilly said she found the opposite.

“The vegetation and animal population will not be permanently hurt in any way,” she said.

The city is in the process of drafting its comprehensive plan – the document that guides policy and zoning. City leaders have been focused on making the community more walkable, and encouraging mixed-zoning development where pedestrians could walk from their homes to retail locations and entertainment districts. Smart Code zoning allows that and some natural preservation. A highway, said Byrd, is completely at odds with the vision the community and city leaders have for the city.

“TxDOT, because of this threat of losing the funding that’s earmarked for this project has really pushed city council in many ways to abandon the values that are helping to plan our strategic planning,” she said.

Lilly said that’s not the case. She’s not opposed to open space or even smart code in the area surrounding the freeway, but she said the the highway is necessary and TxDOT is trying to ease congestion for commuters.

“This road needs to be built for safety’s sake and the sooner, the better. And TxDOT has brought $80 million to the table that we didn’t have before and I don’t think holding up on this helps anyone,” said Lilly.

Byrd contends that just because pedestrians have less contact with motorists in a freeway, doesn’t make it a safer option.

“We want to build these hike and bike lanes but they’re putting them next to these frontage roads where you know, people will be going 40 to 50 miles per hour, how does that feel safe,” asked Byrd.

Click on the Hot Button for the full assessment released by the government entities.