Eagle Pass Transportation Push Gaining Momentum

(PRESS RELEASE) The City of Eagle Pass, through its Business & Economic Development Committee (BEDC), began a concentrated effort for increased resources for transportation and infrastructure projects last August.  The city’s strategy included working alongside the business community through a spirit of collaborative efforts.  Supported by the mayor and city council, BEDC Chairman Morris Libson and the city’s consulting firm EMC Strategy Group, LLC, worked through dedicated volunteers of the BEDC to seek assistance from TXDOT. 

Last September, the city council unanimously approved to join the state’s leading transportation advocacy group, TEX-21 (Transportation for Excellence for the 21^st Century).  As a result, City Councilmen Luis Sifuentes, Rudy Villalpando, and Acting City Manager Ivan Morua became voting members of TEX-21. 

The city’s transportation outreach included hosting TXDOT Chief Engineer Bill Hale last November.  Hale briefed the mayor, city council, and BEDC members on planned, but unfunded transportation projects for Eagle Pass and the region.  Hale gave high praises to the city for its regional approach in seeking state infrastructure resources. 

The Hale visit helped further propel the city’s transportation outreach that included holding a Regional Economic Development Forum in January with Congressman Will Hurd and a BEDC Transportation Workshop in February with TXDOT’S Chief Strategist and Project Director Mr. Lauren Garduno, Laredo Chief Engineer David Salazar, and District Administrator Melissa Montemayor. 

During the February Transportation Workshop, Mayor Ramsey English-Canty, Councilmen Luis Sifuentes and Billy Davis, and BEDC Members stressed the need for the development of a regional transportation corridor plan, which would help improve traveler safety, reduce traffic congestion, and support economic development. 

In March Mayor English-Cantu led a delegation of BEDC members to Austin to meet with Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Bruce Bugg, Jr., to seek support for the proposed regional transportation corridor plan.

At the request of the city, TXDOT will hold a public meeting on June 14, 2018, to get input from stakeholders for the development of the “Rural Transportation Improvements Program 2019-2022.”

“Lobbying the state or federal government for major transportation and infrastructure projects is not easy and doesn’t happen overnight,” says Mayor Ramsey English-Cantu.  “These projects take several years to develop, but the city council and I are committed to putting in the time and effort now to see these projects realized in the future,” adds Mayor English-Cantu.

Major transportation and infrastructure projects, like the development off I-69 that impacted U.S. Highways 77, 83, and 281 in the Rio Grande Valley began over 20 years ago and are still being completed today. 

Regional transportation corridor plans provide TXDOT a step-by-step playbook on addressing localized transportation needs impacting multiple cities and counties that connect to state and federal highways. 

U.S. Highway 57 is at the city’s top of transportation priorities.  TXDOT statistics indicate that over 4,100 vehicles travel on Highway 57 every day.  Commuter statistics also show that Highway 57 has some of the state’s highest traffic accident rates in the highway system.

The public is encouraged to attend the TXDOT Public Meeting on June 14, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., at the International center for Trade, located at 3295 Bob Rogers Drive, Eagle Pass, Texas.

For more information, please contact ernie.gonzalez@emcstragygroup.com or call 210.960.4340, ext. 101. 

Eagle Pass Transportation Outreach Timeline

• August 23 – Former Bridge Director Placido Madera, EMC Consultants: Janice and Ernie Gonzalez attend TEX-21 Meeting at State Capitol
• September – Councilmen Luis Sifuentes, Rudy Villalpando, and Acting City Manager Ivan Morua become voting members of TEX-21
• November 2 – TXDOT Chief Engineer Bill Hale visits Eagle Pass
• January 25 – BEDC and Middle Rio Grande Development Council hold Regional Economic Development Forum

• February 8 – BEDC Transportation Workshop with TXDOT’S Chief Strategist and Project Director Mr. Lauren Garduno, Laredo Chief Engineer David Salazar, and District Administrator Melissa Montemayor

• • March 15 – City Councilman Luis Sifuentes, Acting City Manager Ivan Morua, Bridge Operations Manager Anna de la Garza, and EMC Consultant Ernie Gonzalez attend TEX-21 Meeting in Austin and visit with Office of the Governor
  • March 27 – Mayor Ramsey English-Cantu leads BEDC delegation to meet with Texas Transportation Commissioner Chairman Bruce Bugg, Jr.
  • May 11 – Mayor Ramsey English-Cantu, Mayor Pro-tem Yolanda Ramon, and BEDC Members meet with State Representative Poncho Nevarez to discuss regional transportation corridor plan
  • May 30 – Eagle Pass formally request TXDOT Public Hearing
  • June 1 – TXDOT approves Eagle Pass Public Hearing
  • June 14 – TXDOT Public Hearing