The Texas city is moving ahead on plans to refurbish its old trolleys into a 21st-century streetcar system. The aim is to resurrect an old route that traversed the border to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
It's part preservation project, part transit investment, part international overture. Spearheaded in part by El Paso City Representative Peter Svarzbein, the El Paso Streetcar will refurbish the city's derelict Art Deco trolleys. Rina Raphael writes: "From 1949 to 1974, streetcars made daily jaunts between the two cities. During its heyday, the service averaged more than 600 trips a day."
The Texas Department of Transportation funded stage one of the project in 2014 to the tune of $97 million. "Construction is already well underway for the first leg, which will stay within the confines of El Paso. The second cross-border leg is still in the discussion stage but the momentum is real."
Supporters point to a vibrant transnational economy that challenges stereotypes of a border-zone no-man's land. Says Svarzbein, "We can be against [President Trump's] wall all day, but what are those things that we're for? What do we communicate that we we want to see here?"
The streetcar line would take advantage of existing border-crossing infrastructure. "The trail would build upon an existing bridge and therefore doesn't require a U.S. presidential permit." Backers also note that the president's plans for a wall wouldn't mean much in El Paso, where a barrier is already in place.
FULL STORY: A Trolley And A Dream: Texas Border City Aims To Boost Ties With Mexico
City as Border Zone
Architects Ersela Kripa and Stephen Mueller, founders of El Paso firm AGENCY, discuss the reality and rhetoric of the US–Mexico border.
El Paso Streetcar Marries History, Mobility, and Economic Development
The city’s streetcar line, defunct since 1974, is moving thousands of riders through a newly revitalized downtown.
El Paso Streetcar Returns With Free Fares
The historic streetcars will connect uptown and downtown amenities in a 4.8-mile loop.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet
With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)