Northeast Parkway Project Schematic Design/Environmental Assessment El Paso, Texas

Project Description | Study Area Map | Public Involvement | Newsletters | Route Location Study (Completed August 2003)

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Over the course of the initial feasibility study’s 18-month duration, February 2002 through August 2003, numerous agency working group meetings and two public meetings were held to inform the public of the progress of the route alternatives development and evaluation. In addition, newsletters with current project information and upcoming milestones were regularly sent to concerned citizens and agencies.

This project phase, the design schematic development/environmental documentation preparation phase, intends to continue the public involvement and agency coordination process begun during the feasibility study phase with a variety of communication mechanisms. This web page will be periodically updated to inform the public of the progress of the project.

For the current project phase a public hearing was held on March 29, 2006. Approximately 45 persons attended. Much of the question and answer session dealt with the specifics and merits of tolling new highway projects in the region, the creation of a regional mobility authority and the relationship to traditional TxDOT funding policies to these developments. Other project issues raised included:

• Super 2 construction phase and the deferral of McCombs St.; interchange construction until ultimate 4-lane phase. McCombs St. is a major arterial and consideration should be given to constructing it in the initial Super 2 phase.
• Property owners concern about the right-of-way acquisition process and the proximity of project to their property
• Status of New Mexico planning for its segment of the project- identification of problem areas- NM 213/NM 404 intersection and need for runaway vehicle ramps
• Toll collection on Northeast Parkway/tolling NM 404. NM 404 will not be tolled; only the TX portion of the project will be tolled. Toll-free alternatives will be available.
• Coordination of the project’s planning with major regional stakeholders
• Project implementation schedule- implementation schedule will vary according to tolling feasibility determination. Without tolling, it may take 30 years to implement project. If the project is tolled, it may take as little as 10 years to implement.
• Special provisions for first (emergency) responders are included in project plans.

Following conclusion of the environmental studies, a public hearing will be conducted to obtain public comment and answer questions on the project. Representatives from TxDOT and NMDOT will be present.

Key to schematic design development and environmental impact assessment is the early identification of corridor issues that may affect the location and design of the Northeast Parkway. Federal, state and local agencies and major private entities and groups are integral to this process, and to that end, an agency working group, similar in makeup to the one set up for the feasibility study phase, has been organized to provide oversight and feedback to the study team at major milestones during the course of the work. The working group consists of representatives from the following agencies and groups:

New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT)
City of El Paso
El Paso County
El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)- Texas and New Mexico Divisions
United States Army Fort Bliss Military Reservation
US Dept. of the Interior- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
White Sands Missile Range
Doña Ana County
Doña Ana Branch Community College of New Mexico State University (DABCC)
El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU)
El Paso Natural Gas (EPNG)
El Paso Electric (EPEC)
US Army Corps of Engineers
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

1^st Working Group Meeting- March 31, 2004

The first Working Group Meeting convened on March 31, 2004 in the offices of the El Paso District of the Texas Department of Transportation to provide federal, state and local agencies an overview of the project’s scope and to obtain their input on any additional alignment location issues not already identified. Among the agencies present at the meeting included the city and county of El Paso, Doña Ana County, Fort Bliss, BLM, EPNG and EPWU, FHWA – TX and NM Divisions, White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), Texas Turnpike Authority (TTA) and DABCC.

In general, consultations with these agencies confirmed agreement on the purpose and need for the project. The route option in the vicinity of the TX/NM state line was presented, and it was noted that this alignment appeared to offer advantages over the alignment approved in the route location phase and thus would be explored in more detail in the initial phase of design schematic development. A number of agency-specific issues were raised that would also be addressed in the schematic development phase, but none of the issues was of a magnitude that would preclude continued development of the project.

2^nd Working Group Meeting- September 14, 2005

The 2^nd Working Group Meeting provided definitive information on the project’s alignment and design features so that agencies could begin to accommodate the project within their planning horizons or regulatory frames of reference. As NM has not as yet authorized funding for the schematic design, an interim connection to Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. was presented and discussed. Tentative tolling plans were also presented.

As part of its public involvement and information program, TxDOT has prepared newsletters at key points in the study process. Information on schedule, upcoming meetings, alternatives under consideration and other important project information will be presented. If you would like to receive project newsletters, contact the TxDOT individual listed below.

Public input is essential to project success. Therefore, comments or questions on the study are welcome and should be directed to Ms. Blanca Del Valle, Public Information Office, (915) 790-4200, bdelval@dot.state.tx.us, at the El Paso District Office of TxDOT, 13301 Gateway Blvd. West, El Paso, TX 79928-5410.