El Paso County starts planning for initiative focusing on safer streets, roads

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Streets and roads could soon start to look different around El Paso County due to a new initiative aiming to make them safer for everyone.

County Commissioners have started taking steps to transform roads and streets with a new initiative.

The initiative is being called “Vision Zero.” It’s goal is to reduce traffic deaths and injuries.

Michael McElroy is the Director of Planning and Development for El Paso County.

He said the effort started back in 2022, when it was first introduced by the City of El Paso as a way of focusing on safer traffic environments rather than regulations.

During yesterday’s County Commissioner meeting, a local match of $150,000 was authorized by the Court, in order to successfully receive a larger share of money in the amount of $600,000.

That money will be coming from vehicle registration funds, which is used for transportation projects.

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The larger portion is part of federal funds made available by Congress.

McElroy said the step right now is to develop an action plan to discover priorities through landscaping and other infrastructure improvements.

McElroy said, “Looking at ways to park vehicles in neighborhoods so that you have more barriers for pedestrians you’re trying to narrow the roadway a little bit, small scale infrastructure improvements of curbs or turning radiuses driveways. Oftentimes, it’s a quick fix.”

In addition to working to eliminate traffic deaths and injuries, the initiative’s expansion and priority is to create a safer environment for pedestrians and those with disabilities.

While the project is still in its early stages, McElroy said project leaders still need to put together a plan of action to present to the community before it’s adopted.

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