Two major Far East El Paso projects moving forward
Two major Far East El Paso projects are moving forward.
The El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization voted Friday to approve a different timeline to ensure projects are completed on time. As previously reported, County Commissioners voted last year to give the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority funds and project oversight for six road projects across the Lower Valley and Far East El Paso.
Two projects, the widening of Eastlake and Vista Del Sol Drive, were scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2016. The MPO assigned the projects to federal fiscal year 2016 but Friday, the MPO voted to move the timeline to fiscal year 2017. The construction still begins in the same calendar year and will begin in the coming months.
“The entire process was slated to be about a two-year process it’s just a matter for sort of housekeeping purposes and record keeping purposes that we get them moved into the appropriate years,” County Commissioner Vince Perez said.
Funding for the projects comes from $70 million in bonds secured by the $10 vehicle registration fee hike commissioners previously approved.
The rapid growth in Far East Paso spurred the projects.
“It is kind of congested through here and especially with the growth that’s happening out here it would be really good to improve the quality of the streets and make it where vehicles come through better egress, emergency vehicles that may need to come through as well,” one Far East El Paso resident said.
Monday, crews broke ground on the Old Hueco Tanks Road construction, phase two of the Eastlake expansion will begin in the coming weeks and once those are completed, crews will work on phase one of the Eastlake expansion.
“As El Paso continues to grow, I know there ‘s some inconveniences, on the westside and on the eastside, but ultimately those are signs of progress that we are fixing our road infrastructure to meet the demand of our growing community,” Commissioner Perez said.
