State Park Animal Corridor to Let in September?

Although it's pretty certain that the City of El Paso's priorities and not TxDOT nor regional engineer, Bob Bielek, are to blame, the process for actually building the wildlife corridor with a hike and bike trail at the Tom Mays Unit of the FMSP has been a lengthy one.

In a July 30, 2015 email to Rep. Joe Pickett, Bob Bielek wrote: "I discussed how we are going to fund this project with staff today and we came to the conclusion that it makes the most sense to fund the project out of Category 11, which is essentially District discretionary funds.  We will likely have enough to fund this project with FY 16 funds and should be able to let in September or October. The reason for this is that we would not need to get the project into the TIP, STIP or have to go through all of the paperwork associated with conformity, etc. Depending on final estimates this could change, but as of right now we believe this is the fastest and cleanest approach."

Let in September or October? Let's hope it's finally true.

Breaking News: Public Meeting for FMSP Entrance Scheduled for December

The office of State Representative Joe Pickett received a note from TxDOT this afternoon.  A public meeting about the entrance to the Tom Mays Unit of the Franklin Mountains State Park is scheduled for Canutillo High School, from 6 to 8 PM, on Wednesday December 11th.

Bicycle Community Stresses Action Now

What we, Velo Paso: El Paso Bicycle Pedestrian Coalition, are telling people is . . . 

1. Read and respond to the El Paso Times article:

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_23860793/txdot-denies-funding-el-paso-bicycle-sharing-program

If you have Facebook, please respond to the El Paso Times article. Important points to make:

1. This isn't just about bikes, this is about the health of our community. I want my children to be able to bike safely to school and programs like Bike Share would put MORE riders on the road. 

2. The real question is why is TxDOT taking this away from our city after local agencies and elected officials already agreed to move forward on it? TxDOT is merely the fiduciary agent - the middle man. Bike share meets all qualifications for the funds. 

3. Fort Worth Bike Share was funded by TxDOT. What makes El Paso different from Fort Worth? 

Your own points. This is about solidarity and not ceding any money when it comes to bikes and pedestrian initiatives. This whole process is being obstructed by two individuals who simply don't believe bikes are a viable form of transportation. PROVE THEM WRONG RIGHT NOW. 

2. Write a letter to the editor:

SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR: 

http://www.elpasotimes.com/townhall/ci_14227323

3. Email Rep. Pickett

Email Rep. Joe Pickett and tell him:

I live in El Paso and I want Bike Share. Don't treat El Paso differently from Fort Worth or any other city in Texas. Ask TxDOT to fund our Bike Share program.
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=79&session=83 

4. Attend our Velo Paso Community Meeting, Saturday, 8/24 10am-12pm at the main branch of the El Paso Public Library, downtown. Food will be provided. 

5. Contact TxDOT and tell them El Paso wants a bike share pogram!

(512) 486-5003.  http://www.txdot.gov/contact-us/form.html?id=tpp-email

Take Action Now: Support Bike Share

The Velo PasoBicycle-Pedestrian Coalition attended the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority's (CRRMA) monthly meeting to support the city-wide Bike Share program after Bike Texas and the League of American Bicyclists sent out an urgent 24-hour action alert. 

The CRRMA announced that TxDOT would not be issuing the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding that it controlled.  Funding which the bike share program fully qualifies for. When asked why, it was reported that TxDOT did not believe this was an appropriate use for these funds.  
Raymond Telles, Executive Director of the CRRMA, said that without the $1.6 million from TxDOT, the funding available for the program was now down to just $400,000.  All interested stakeholders not only still support the Bike Share project, but Telles announced that Fort Bliss, the Army's second largest military installation in the country, has also expressed interest in joining the Bike Share program.

So, is Bike Share dead?  At this point, it isn't, but what will happen next is unclear. 

"No final decision has been made yet," said Veronica Beyer, a TxDOT spokeswoman. "TxDOT plans to coordinate conversations with transportation partners to garner more information on how we can dedicate those limited funds to important congestion-mitigation projects around the state."

Community members are disappointed that the funding is being withheld, especially after local agencies and elected officials conducted the required due diligence.  Now it seems that bike share has been thwarted by just one or two individuals who are hiding behind the facade of the state agency.

El Pasoans demand to know why TxDOT refuses to fund El Paso's Bike Share program when they funded Forth Worth's bike share with Transportation Enhancement money.

More importantly, community members want to know why TxDOT is telling local governments, regional agencies and the University of Texas what to do.

If you want to save bike share, tell Rep. Joe Pickett, former chair of the powerful transportation committee, and Ted Houghton, chair of the Texas Transportation Commission, that you live in El Paso and see the valuable health, environmental and quality of life benefits bike share would bring to El Paso. Tell them that we deserve bike share just as much as Fort Worth, Austin, Houston or San Antonio.

Email Ted Houghton or call him at (512) 305-9509.

Email Joe Pickett, visit his district office at 1790 Lee Trevino #307, call him at (915) 590-4349 or fax (915) 590-4726.

Follow the local media coverage as this story continues to evolve.

EPTimes: http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_23860793/txdot-denies-funding-el-paso-bicycle-sharing-program

El Diario: http://diario.mx/El_Paso/2013-08-14_ff1795d4/retira-txdot-fondos-para-programa-que-fomenta-uso-de-bicicletas/

KVIA: http://www.kvia.com/news/rma-state-denies-bike-share-funding-state-no-decision-made/-/391068/21472060/-/rekturz/-/index.html

KTSM: http://www.ktsm.com/news/txdot-holds-16-million-back-el-pasos-bike-share-program

KINT Univision: http://www.kint.com/2013/08/14/buscan-iniciar-con-proyecto-de-trasporte-en-bicicleta/

KTDO Telemundo: http://www.holaciudad.com/suspenden-programa-bicicletas-compartidas-n343736

Update on FMSP Entrance

From Judy Ackerman:

Park Entrance – Vigilance Needed

Expect more calls for action to ensure a safe and appropriate entrance to the Tom Mays Section of our Franklin Mountains State Park (FMSP).  As you know, TX Parks and Wildlife Department prefers TxDOT’s option 4 and El Pasoans agree.  That option would create an underpass to facilitate hikers, bikers, and wildlife crossing in addition to vehicular access and serve as a vital connection between north and south portions of FMSP.

At the 15 Apr 2013 Special Meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Transportation Policy Board (TPB), members acknowledged hearing from you, the public, and discussed this topic at length.  The ball is in TxDOT’s court.  El Paso’s transportation expert, State Representative Joe Pickett, said, “… options are still being looked at since the environmental has not been completed.  The [TxDOT] district engineer [Bob Bielek] has committed to the project in 2014, but not sure what option would be proposed or at what cost….  At this point, it is up to TxDOT to provide the when, and how much.”

FMWC alert system will keep you informed on breaking news and ask you to contact elected and appointed officials as necessary.  For background information, see our website:  www.franklinmountains.org/. You can also subscribe to ElPasoNaturally at www.elpasonaturally.blogspot.com/.