Public Hearing On Transmountain Rd. Project Tonight

The controversial proposal to transform Transmountain Rd./Loop 375 from a two-lane undivided roadway into a highway with four lanes and a frontage road in each direction is moving forward.

Now, the Texas Department of Transportation wants to hear residents’ thoughts on the plan and present the construction proposal during a public hearing.

This is one of several steps before roadwork begins. It comes nearly two weeks after a resident-organized group, The Franklin Mountains Environmental Coalition, failed to stop the project with a petition due to a shortage of signatures. The group is against expanding Transmountain because it says it will erode the open space and beauty of the foothills leading to Franklin Mountains State Park.

The Public Service Board is among the supporters of the expansion. Members of the PSB say it will help keep water costs to residents low, in addition to relieving traffic congestion in that area.

The public hearing begins with an open house at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the cafeteria of Canutillo High School, 6675 South Desert Blvd. The public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m.

For more information, call Blanca Del Valle at 790-4341.