The City of El Paso has been awarded $12 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as part of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program.
“Being awarded this grant is an enormous accomplishment for our region made possible through the City’s strategic decision to align our International Bridges, Economic Development, Capital Improvements, and Grants Division Departments. The integration of these departments has strengthened our economic development and binational efforts,” said City Manager Tommy Gonzalez. “We are also incredibility grateful for the ongoing support and leadership from Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, our State delegation, City Council, and binational partners.”
The RAISE grant program provides funding for surface transportation projects of local and regional significance. El Paso’s $12 million grant will help construct the following pedestrian safety improvements at the Ysleta/Zaragoza Port of Entry:
- Dedicated pedestrian drop-off and pick-up zones
- Protection from the elements (shade canopies)
- Improved crosswalks at intersections
- Pedestrian-oriented light fixtures, raised pedestrian crossings, marked crosswalks, pedestrian warning signs and signals, and traffic calming techniques
- Streetlights
- Landscaping improvements
- Seating areas
- Screening walls for security
- CCTVs for security
- Sun Metro bus stop
- Wayfinding signage
The City has also committed to providing $3 million as the local match for the project. The City’s funding will be provided from bridge toll revenues via the P3 program. The RAISE grant will complement the $32 million in state transportation funding that will fund the installation of an Intelligent Transportation System increasing security measures, supporting cross-border traffic management, as well as facilitating and expediting trade at the Bridge of the Americas and the Ysleta/Zaragoza Bridge.
This week’s federal funding is just one of several recent award announcements of federal funding for El Paso. Earlier this year, the City announced $13 million in Federal Grant Funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for runway and taxiway construction at the El Paso International Airport; and $5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure to enhance sustainability efforts and passenger experience improvements at the airport.
The Ysleta project, which is aligned with the Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan, will also complement the International Bridges Capital Improvement Plan, helping to achieve the City’s Strategic Plan to enhance the cross-border mobility experience for bridge users.
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