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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Rep. Joe Moody Speaks Out About Park Entrance

In an email to a constituent, Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) wrote this:


"First, thank you for your commitment to El Paso in supporting a number of choices for the entrance to the Franklin Mountains State Park.
As a representative of the El Paso residents closest to the park, I support projects that will ease access, preserve the area's natural beauty, and promote tourism. After conducting research and meeting with a wide array of El Paso stakeholders about the proposed entrance options, I am firmly in support of alternative four.
That entrance plan is not only the most convenient for visitors but also the safest. Creating an overpass would allow for improved and orderly traffic flow because of the dedicated entrance and exit ramps for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. It also ensures that emergency vehicles will have the easiest access and swiftest response times when dealing with emergencies in the park.
An equally important consideration is that alternative four is the option least disruptive of the natural aesthetics of the area. The project blends in with the landscape, utilizes existing arroyos for natural drainage to prevent flooding, and includes a wildlife crossing to protect the park's animal life.
Although alternative four is not the cheapest solution, it is the best long-term investment. The park already hosts over 50,000 visitors every year—90% of them local. Improving visitor access while preserving the park itself will drive further growth in both local visitation and tourism from outside the El Paso area.
Franklin Mountains State Park is important to me, to our community, and to Texas itself. Please feel free to contact me any time.
Respectfully,
Representative Joe Moody
District 78 | El Paso County"


Outraged by TxDOT's pulling funding and support for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's preferred entrance to the Franklin Mountains State Park?Send your email comments to:

Robert Bielek  Robert.Bielek@txdot.gov



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