Extending the Scenic Corridor on the TxDOT Trans Mountain Project

City Council Representative Susie Byrd intends to put forth at the October 5 regular Council meeting the following plan to extend the scenic corridor along Trans Mountain:

1. Direct the City Manager to initiate a zoning change on three tracts of land owned by City of El Paso and managed by the El Paso Water Utilities (Parcel #1: 637.5 Acres legally described as Nellie D Mundy Survey 246, Parcel #2: 125.3360 acres legally described as SJ Larkin, Survey 269 Abstract 10070 Tract 1 and Parcel #3: 155.4651 Acres legally described as SJ Larkin Survey 269 Abstract 10070 Tract 1-A) from R-3, Residential District and PMD, Planned Mountain Development to Natural Open Space (See map for more information).
2. Direct the City Manager to put this land into a conservation easement so that it be preserved in perpetuity as open space.
3. Direct the City Manager to amend the Master Thoroughfare Plan to remove the Paseo del Norte arterial; and
4. Direct the City Manager to work with TXDOT to remove the Paseo del Norte overpass from the Transmountain Freeway design.

Extending the Scenic Corridor on TxDOT Trans Mountain Project

The TxDOT project may face new obstacles. The earlier 4 lane project was presented to the public. The new $80 million dollar freeway with four overpasses has never been vetted by the public. In addition, there has yet to be a NEPA study. Yet, at the Open Space Advisory Board meeting yesterday, Mr. Esparza of TxDOT said that TxDOT had presented an alternative plan at its March public meeting. Selecting an alternative before a NEPA study is illegal. The City Council is being asked to make a decision before a NEPA - this alone should be a reason to go slow. Also, at the September 2nd OSAB meeting, OSAB members made a request that the City Manager consider expanding, if possible, the Dover Kohl contract and scope of work to include a review of TxDOT's design for Trans Mountain and then to make its recommendation before City Council approves the TxDOT plan. City Manager Joyce Wilson has agreed to the request depending on the cost. Mr. Matt McElroy is in conversation with Dover Kohl about the cost for expanding their contract

Elpasonaturally hopes that Ms. Byrd's recommendation is accepted by the full Council. Additionally, elpasonaturally hopes that all land in the NW Master Plan be rezoned at NOS and that the TxDOT plan be fully vetted by the public along with consultants, Dover Kohl and that a NEPA study be done. If TxDOT has selected an alternative before the NEPA, then elpasonaturally wishes to see appropriate action be taken by federal highway officials. The Scenic Corridor should be preserved and Representative Byrd's plans for expanding it is an excellent one.

There should be no overpass at Paseo del Norte. In fact, the entire freeway plan should undergo public, NEPA and Dover Kohl scrutiny. Is it really what El Pasoans want or just what a few persons want in order to benefit financially?