Latest news with #BridgeoftheAmericas
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Officials unveil plan to fix dangerous issue with bridge at US-Mexico border: 'You just can't stand it'
After a years-long effort, a major port of entry between Mexico and the United States may indeed see a redesign that could significantly improve air quality and public health for nearby communities. According to local outlet KTSM, the U.S. government is set to modernize the Bridge of the Americas — or BOTA — located in El Paso, Texas. Originally constructed in 1967, the current infrastructure requires an upgrade. As a part of the upgrade proposal and review process, it has been determined that commercial trucks will no longer be able to use the bridge once the project is complete. Funded through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the effort recently overcame a delay to conclude the required environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act. El Paso Matters reported in March that the delay occurred to ensure compliance with new presidential executive orders. The "record of decision" obtained in recent weeks now concludes the NEPA process, another step in the project moving forward. U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar of Texas, a champion of the redesign, said, "We are one step closer to delivering a transformational investment to our border region, which will lead to cleaner air and a healthier community for generations to come." The decision to eliminate commercial trucks from the port comes in part as a result of the environmental review under NEPA as well as concerns from surrounding communities, which say they have long endured substantial air pollution from idling trucks. San Xavier resident Ricardo Leon, for example, told The Guardian in 2024 that he had developed a cough from the pollution. "On a hot day, it's very, very irritating, annoying. You just can't stand it. Your eyes start burning, you feel it in your throat, you can taste it," he said. Particulate matter pollution from vehicle emissions has been linked to a range of health issues, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, including cardiac conditions, asthma, and premature death in those with heart or lung disease. Commercial vehicles can cause more air pollution than passenger vehicles, and marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by poor air quality. El Paso-based organization Familias Unidas del Chamizal, which describes itself as "working to organize families in the Barrio Chamizal to develop a community that can defend itself," said in a statement, per KTSM, "Removing the commercial vehicles is a major benefit to the public health of the residents of the Chamizal and communities that neighbor the BOTA who will no longer be subject to the diesel contamination." Eliminating a route for commercial trucks could cause concern about hampering trade, but the nearby Tornillo, Santa Teresa, and Zaragoza land ports of entry will still be open for this purpose. Assessments of the communities around each of these ports were included in the environmental review, or Environmental Impact Statement. According to Land Line Media, which covers the trucking industry, construction for the upgrade "is anticipated to begin in spring 2027, with 'substantial completion' of the project expected in summer 2030." Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. While reducing gas-powered traffic near densely populated communities is a great way to lessen the effects of air pollution on human health, using public transportation, riding a bike, and walking are other methods of cutting back on the heat-trapping pollution driving global temperature rise and extreme weather events. Mass conversion to electric vehicles among commuters as well as commercial transport could also make a big difference going forward. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bond for improvements at coliseum won't be on May ballot
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A bond question seeking $100 million of improvements and upgrades for the El Paso County Coliseum will not be going back to the voters in May. County Commissioner David Stout has been the leading advocate for bringing the measure back before the public and had filed a motion to put it back on the ballot for May's election. The exact same proposal was narrowly rejected by El Paso voters during the November general election. Stout was the sole commissioner to vote in favor of the motion Monday afternoon Feb. 10, while the rest of the Commissioners Court voted 'no.' 'I think there was a lot of confusion (about) this item on the ballot last time. We did not have the same opportunity to inform the public (about) this project as we did (with) other projects that we put on the ballot, because we didn't find out (soon enough) that it wasn't going to be taken by the federal government as part of the Bridge of the Americas (renovation),' Stout said. 'We fought so hard to save (the coliseum) from the GSA, and it's sad that we're now not wanting to invest in it.' The bond sought $105.5 million to renovate part of the coliseum's structure, including seating, the roof, and the air conditioning system. It would have also turned the Sherman Barn next to the coliseum into an event venue. The bond would have cost a homeowner with a home value of $200,000 about $20 more a year in County taxes. El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego and County Commissioner Sergio Coronado didn't totally reject the need to renovate the coliseum, but argued more time was needed to find a solution that would appeal to voters. County Commissioner Iliana Holguin said she received feedback from her constituents who were upset that the proposal was being reconsidered. 'People felt like their decision to not vote for this proposition during the November election was being disrespected. They told me that they thought that the Commissioners Court was being disrespectful because the court had placed this proposition on the November ballot and the voters voted against it,' Holguin said. Holguin said that if a similar proposal were revisited in the future – that addresses the renovations needed at the coliseum – it would have to be carefully planned out and more specific. 'I think we need to be very deliberative and very specific. The voters already told us they do not want to issue a debt of over $100 million for the coliseum. So I don't think it was wise to suggest that we bring back the exact same proposition again in May, so soon after it had failed,' Holguin said. Stout said, however, that the need to make renovations to the coliseum are pressing because the longer it is put off, the more expensive it will get. 'Every year, construction costs go up. In some cases, we've seen construction costs go up 30% year over year. And that is something that worries me. I think being fiscally responsible is something that we need to do as County officials. We need to make sure that we're being as efficient in giving taxpayers the most bang for their buck. Every year that goes by, the cost to the taxpayer is going to increase,' Stout said. Stout also said the opportunity to make this investment could go away soon based on what the Texas Legislature has done recently. 'Every legislative session, the state Legislature pre-empts local bodies, local governments from raising funds to pay for programs and services that we provide. We have recently seen a tax cap (of) 3.5%. We've seen appraisal caps. And now, we're seeing a number of pieces of legislation that would pre-empt counties from being able to even fund something like this with borrowed money,' Stout said. This was the last opportunity to put the proposal on May's ballot, but it could be reconsidered for future elections. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
