The El Paso City Council has approved an advanced funding agreement to design and build a segment of a popular shared use recreational path.
The Playa Drain Shared Use Path runs along the Playa Drain on the southeast side of the city and was originally laid out and built through the support of the Paseo Del Norte Health Foundation in 2018.
That foundation contributed $2.5 million to making the 3.4-mile path – used by walkers, joggers, and bike riders – a reality, along with another $300,000 that came out of the city’s Quality of Life bonds.
The construction of the path also saw the building of water foundations, exercise stations, bike pump stations, and seating.
Now the city wants to add a less than one mile segment to the path between Whittier Drive and Elvin Way that will run to the south of the Alicia R. Chaco International School and the Ysleta High School, adjoining a residential neighborhood.
The advance funding arrangement will be between El Paso and the Texas Department of Transportation, and will include the construction of ramps that are Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, mid-block crossings, landscaping, and new signage.
The project may also require the relocation of some utility infrastructure, and the addition of shade trees, vegetation, and what is described in city documents as “other pedestrian amenities.”
The $2 million advance funding agreement approved by the city council will require El Paso to kick in $403,000 for work completing the new path segment.
By Garry Boulard
