El Paso Stays the Course

El Paso is moving forward with a number of transit projects, toward ambitious goals in mobility, quality of life, and air quality.

1 minute read

June 21, 2016, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


El Paso

Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock

Leak Binkovitz writes of the efforts of El Paso to improve walkability, bi-national connectivity, historic preservation, tourism, and air quality, through the implementation of its 2012 comprehensive plan, Plan El Paso. According to Binkovitz, Plan El Paso sets an ambitious target of creating an entirely new kind of city, built from models provided by the city's own past.

Big-ticket items in play in El Paso include a recently opened bus rapid transit line, plans for three additional BRT lines, and a streetcar line, currently under construction in the first of three phases. Plan El Paso "also includes the possibilities of light-rail, commuter rail and intercity rail projects, all of which would be part of transforming the city," writes Binkovitz.

In detailing Plan El Paso's components and the details of the transit projects proposed within, Binkovitz tells a much more positive story about the ambitions and accomplishments of Plan El Paso. Astute readers will recall, however, a much more critical take on Plan El Paso, written by Alana Samuels for The Atlantic in January 2016.

Monday, June 20, 2016 in The Urban Edge

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit