El Paso Streetcar Project Draws Concern, Support At Community Meeting

The planned return of El Paso’s streetcar system was under scrutiny Tuesday evening during a community meeting.

Supporters and criticswent to the Union Plaza Transit Terminal to learn more about the project, ask questions and suggest ideas.

According to the consulting firm hired to help with the project, it is still very early on in the process. City leaders are waiting for an environmental clearance, which they are hoping to receive by September, before the design and construction can be planned.

City council already approved the streetcar route, which is expected to cost about $100 million. About $90 million is expected to come from the Texas Department of Transportation.

The streetcar system would cover about 5 miles, running downtown along Kansas, Father Rahm, Santa Fe and Franklin streets then springing off that route all the way up Oregon Street to the Glory Road transfer center atUTEP and back down Stanton Street downtown.

Watch ABC-7’s story for specific concerns and suggestions from speakers at the meeting.

Another community meetingto gather input about the streetcar project will be held Thursday at the El Paso Community College Rio Grande Campus on 100 W. Rio Grande, Conference Room A-119.