Streetcar Project Update

to el paso are right on track. the city is now choosing who will design and build the project. the trolleys will run a figure eight course, starting downtown near the downtown transfer center.. … running up stanton to utep at the don haskins center… and down oregon back to the transfer center.. the streetcars will also run south on kansas to father rahm … … and back to the transfer center up santa fe. abc-7’s josie ortegon is live with an update on the construction. rick, estela. i’m at the downtown transfer center and just across the street here is a metered lot. in a couple of years, it’ll house the storage lot for the streetcars. this will serve as the pick up and drop off point. that is, once the project gets going. … beat up … … rundown… just sitting in a lot near el paso international airport. but not for long. as this youtube video shows, work is now underway to get the city’s original trolleys plugged in… and back on track … there are nine in total… and by the year 20-18, the streetcars are expected to connect el paso’s past to the future. first, city council has to figure out who will refurbish the cars, then design and build the infrastructure. the companies bidding for the $97-million dollar project are: sundt-herzog… stacy and witbeck … and jordan foster– all three are working wit lcoal companies as they draft up plans to present to the city. “there are questions like: if you choose me and i’m a sub contractor to you, how much bonding capacity do i have to have, how frequently will i get paid, what do you expect from me in terms of credentials.” stand-up: “the chosen company will be responsible for building exactly 4.8 miles of track and 27 street cars stops along the entire route.” the company selected to build the streetcar project won’t be required to hire local workers to do everything from concrete flatwork, demolition, to roofing and landscaping. the chamber of commerce certainly hopes so though. 3:30-4:28 “it’s very importan to our economy, because then that means, that money will be spent in our community.” the chamber of commerce tells me the project is expected to be completed by 2018. the project will then be managed by sun metro. another meeting for local businesses to meet with the prime contractors will be held friday. ok, josie, a lot of work needs to be done in the next few years. thanks for the latest. abc-seven