Council programs $5.8 million in bond funds for ‘Safe Routes to Parks’ to reduce pedestrian injuries

The El Paso City Council approved a resolution to reprogram $5.8 million of unprogrammed 2022 Community Progress Bond intersection‑safety funds to create a Safe Routes to Parks program. The council voted unanimously after a presentation from Joaquin Rodriguez of the Capital Improvement Department.

Rodriguez said staff used crash, pedestrian demand and demographic data to prioritize parks located on or near the city’s “high‑injury network,” the street segments with the most fatal and serious‑injury crashes. He said the analysis showed 62 percent of parks are within a half‑mile of the high‑injury network and that many fatalities and serious injuries involve pedestrians.

The program will target a bundle of improvements around priority facilities: filling sidewalk gaps, curb ramps and ADA upgrades, pedestrian refuge islands, enhanced lighting, improved striping, mid‑block crossings, rapid rectangular flashing beacons and, where warranted, traffic signals. Staff said the emphasis is on making crossings where people actually walk rather than only where traffic engineering traditionally prescribes signals.

Rodriguez said staff will coordinate with Streets and Maintenance, Parks and Recreation, and the Mobility Advisory Committee to develop designs and then proceed to procurement. The department estimated construction could begin in January 2026 for the prioritized projects.

Councilmembers raised accessibility questions and asked staff to consider features requested by disability advocates — for example, making curb ramps and ramps more visually legible — and staff said they would coordinate with Streets/Maintenance.

The resolution to program the $5.8 million passed unanimously.