EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The U.S. federal government is moving ahead with a plan to improve and upgrade the Bridge of Americas that would exclude north- and southbound commercial traffic.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has picked a “no-commercial traffic” alternative for the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a project that would upgrade and improve the Bridge of Americas Port of Entry, the agency announced Friday, Sept. 20.
The draft EIS “examines the potential social, economic, and environmental impacts of the proposed project,” GSA said in a news release.
GSA says that the public now has 45 days to comment on the EIS. That comment period will end at 10:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Nov. 4, the agency said.
The draft EIS analyzes in detail the three remaining alternatives — one that includes commercial traffic, one that eliminates commercial traffic, and one that examines if no improvements are made to the port of entry.
GSA currently identifies the “no-commercial traffic” alternative as the one that “would best meet the requirements of the federal government while addressing the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the project,” the agency said in its release.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, praised the decision by GSA.
“After years of advocacy and work for the modernization of our ports of entry, with particular care given to health and environmental impacts on El Pasoans, I am so excited to announce that GSA has finalized the best (and most popular) design option for the Bridge of the Americas,” Escobar said.
“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to environmental justice, we are one step closer to delivering transformational investment – over $650 million – to our border region which will lead to cleaner air and a healthier community for generations to come. I look forward to seeing these designs come to life for a land port that will prioritize El Pasoans, create jobs, and promote economic growth and development for our community. I’m grateful to GSA and CBP who were great partners throughout this process, and grateful to all El Pasoans who took part in these important conversations,” Escobar said.
Public input during the 45-day comment period is “essential to ensure that all perspectives are considered,” GSA said.
Comments can be submitted through the following methods:
Email: BOTA.nepacomments@gsa.gov.
Must include “BOTA LPOE Draft EIS” in the subject line.
Mail:
U.S. General Services Administration
Attention: Karla Carmichael, NEPA Program Manager
819 Taylor St, Room 12-B
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Comments must be received by 10:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Nov. 4, to be considered by GSA.
This project is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that includes a total of $3.4 billion for GSA to build and modernize land ports of entry on the country’s northern and southern borders, GSA said.
Additional project information and all documents related to the draft EIS are available at: gsa.gov/bota.
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