The Border Highway East (BHE) Study began in May 2013 and is anticipated to conclude in the fall of 2014. The study will include community discussion and a visioning process for transportation improvements along the border in southeast El Paso County.

Project Limits

The study area begins at Loop 375 near the Zaragoza International Port of Entry (POE) and extends south to the Fabens International POE. I-10 and the Rio Grande serve as east and west boundaries.

• Study Area Map

Planning and Environmental Linkage Study

A Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) study will identify and document transportation needs for the area.

The PEL process provides early collaboration with the public as well as local, state and federal agencies. By working together, alternatives and avoidance measures can be developed at a local level.

A feasibility study in 1997 identified the following challenges:

• Increasing traffic demands on east-west mobility
• Lack of connectivity to I-10
• Congestion and the need for an alternative/parallel route to existing roadways
• Social and economic demands from population growth
• Increasing strain on local roadways and railroads associated with international trade
• Interregional trade and freight rail movements

The PEL process will result in a proposed solution to these challenges as well as potential funding options.

Get Involved

The first series of open house meetings was held in November 2013. The purpose of the meetings was to examine the transportation needs in the study area.

The second series of open house meetings will be held on March 4 and 5 2014 and will present both the universe and preliminary alternatives for the BHE study area. Find details on upcoming public meetings below.

Date	Title	City	Format
03/05/14	Public Meeting	Socorro
03/04/14	Public Meeting	Clint

Public Meetings Series One

The table below contains documents from public meetings held on Nov. 19 and Nov. 20, 2013

Title	English	Spanish
Alternative Screening Process
Connecting Planning Studies
Constraints Map
Feasibility Study Map (1997)
How to Get Involved
How to Provide Comments
Level of Service 2010
Level of Service 2040
PEL Process
PEL Study Timeline
Purpose and Need Draft
Public Meeting Comment Form - 11/19/13
Public Meeting Program Guide - 11/19/13
Public Meeting Comment Form - 11/20/13
Public Meeting Program Guide -11/20/13

Public Meeting Series Two

Title	Format
2040 Scenario Effectiveness
Alternative Screening Process
Constraints Map
How to Get Involved
Level of Service 2010
Level of Service 2040
PEL Study Timeline
Public Meeting Comment Form (English & Spanish) - 03/04/14
Public Meeting Comment Form (English & Spanish) - 03/05/14
Public Meeting Program Guide (English & Spanish) - 03/04/14
Public Meeting Program Guide (English & Spanish) - 03/05/14
Purpose & Need - Draft
Station Boards
Study Area Map
Study Area Map Plots: 1 of 6
Study Area Map Plots: 2 of 6
Study Area Map Plots: 3 of 6
Study Area Map Plots: 4 of 6
Study Area Map Plots: 5 of 6
Study Area Map Plots: 6 of 6
Universe of Alternatives

Project Documents

Title	Format
Alternative Screening Methodology
Environmental Constraints Report
Fact Sheet
Public Involvement and Agency Coordination Plan
Purpose and Need Technical Report