This past Wednesday, Rep. Chris Canales of District 8 wrote a letter to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and copying the Mayor, his colleagues on City Council, and Staff calling for “the removal of commercial truck traffic from the Bridge of the Americas” because of the “adverse effects of idling commercial vehicles on air quality, public health, and the overall well-being of nearby residents.”
He urges the GSA, which is overseeing the expansion and modernization of the Bridge of the Americas Land Port of Entry (BOTA), to consider diverting commercial traffic to ports of entry that are in less densely populated areas, in particular Tornillo and Santa Teresa.
We respect Rep. Canales’ desire to improve the air quality in Central El Paso but have some questions:
How would prohibiting commercial vehicles on the Bridge of the Americas impact the economy of El Paso?
Is there the potential for litigation from trucking companies, local businesses, and/or government entities, including on the Mexican side of the border?
Would the extra diesel fuel that trucks would have to consume to drive far out of their way have a detrimental impact on regional air quality?
You can read the full text of Rep. Canales’ letter below. If you have any questions, you may write to him at district8@elpasotexas.gov.
Photo Credit: Omar Ornelas, El Paso Times.
Read more: Read More