Link to article in El Paso Times here.
Wouldn’t this be bliss to read this in the Express-News:
“The MPO also voted to rescind a previous decision to support a regional system of toll lanes.”
Well, it’s a reality in El Paso tonight! Their MPO has had it with TxDOT and ripped the toll plans right out of their regional transportation planning! How ’bout it? Think there’s anyone at our MPO willing to actually represent the electorate? Not if Councilman Richard Perez, Councilman Art Hall, and TxDOT’s David Casteel and Clay Smith have any say in the matter. These pro-tollers are holding us hostage and failing us in the Democratic process. Commissioners Adkisson and Larson and our friends at Via need more votes to make this a reality in San Antonio. We’re the ONLY MPO in the State where POLITICAL APPOINTEES outweigh ELECTED OFFICIALS on the MPO. This needs to change. In fact, the MPO web site has failed to “load” for over 3 months and there is no way for the public to know who is even on the Board! Do you honestly think any of this is an accident?
MPO tables decision on transportation authority
By Gustavo Reveles-Acosta
El Paso Times
July 28, 2006
The El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization, or MPO, postponed any action
regarding the creation of a regional mobility authority that could plan,
fund and build future transportation projects in the area.
The MPO, which is made up of elected officials and transportation experts,
narrowly voted to table an agenda item that called for the opposition to the
creation of the regional mobility authority, or RMA.
The postponement came after members discussed working on a letter from the
Texas Transportation Commission outlining the role of the MPO when it comes
to construction projects planned and approved by an RMA.
While state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, believes the letter states that any
project approved by an RMA would also need the approval of the MPO, others
said the commission only would require that an RMA project also be on the
project list already approved by the MPO.
The MPO board voted table the issue and seek legal advice before voting
again on it in about 30 days.
The MPO also voted to rescind a previous decision to support a regional system of toll lanes and the designation of the southern relief route – the connection of the Cesar Chavez Border Highway to Loop 375 on the West Side as a priority.
The board asked the Texas Department of Transportation to come back in 120 days with a plan that also might include other priority projects like the northeast parkway that would connect the north part of Loop 375 to Interstate 10 near Anthony.