GSA, El Paso Council Seek to Eliminate Cargo Traffic at BOTA

The US General Services Administration (GSA) aims to eliminate commercial cargo operations at the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) Land Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas, and reroute them to nearby ports. The move aims to alleviate traffic congestion, improve public health, and spur economic benefits.

The plan was published in GSA’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed modernization of BOTA, published on Sep. 20, 2024. The Agenda for the Regular Council Meeting of the El Paso City Council wrote on Oct. 8 that US$3 million in funding has been allocated for feasibility studies and design documents through the FY25 Community Project Funding (CPF) process, with approval expected by June 2025. The proposed FY25 RAISE grant, which would fund the project, is expected to be awarded in the early fall of 2025. 

According to the NEPA Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), the elimination of commercial cargo traffic at BOTA will yield long-term benefits for public health and air quality in El Paso. While some concern exists about how this shift will affect commercial operations, studies show that nearby ports, such as Tornillo, have the capacity to absorb the redirected traffic. Tornillo can process 1,000 commercial vehicles per day, ensuring a smooth transition without disrupting trade flows, argues GSA.

The GSA’s modernization proposal for BOTA aims to reduce traffic wait times, which could have significant positive effects on El Paso’s economy. Freight transportation costs are expected to reduce due to less congestion, benefiting industries such as transportation, warehousing, and retail. Shorter wait times may also boost personal travel and consumer spending in the region, offering long-term gains in employment and economic growth, says GSA.

Community and Government Support

The El Paso City Council has expressed strong support for the GSA’s Preferred Alternative. City Representative Josh Acevedo applauded the plan, stating that this modernization addresses decades of public health concerns voiced by local communities. Acevedo emphasized that while economic benefits are important, public health must take precedence.

“For decades, residents, many of them my constituents, have expressed legitimate concerns over their health as large commercial trucks idle in their neighborhoods,” Acevedo writes on social media. 

Local advocacy group Familia Unidas del Chamizal supports the GSA’s choice to eliminate commercial cargo operations. The group stresses that this decision is crucial for addressing environmental injustice in the area, where residents have suffered disproportionately from the harmful effects of truck emissions due to their proximity to the port.

A Future-Ready Port

The Bridge of the Americas, El Paso’s only free bridge, has been facing increasing traffic volumes in recent years, which has prompted the need for modernization. In anticipation of future growth, US Congresswoman Veronica Escobar worked to secure between US$650 million and US$700 million in funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These funds will go towards modernizing the BOTA facilities, ensuring that the port is equipped to handle future demand while maintaining a focus on public health and sustainability, as previously reported by MBN.

On Oct. 17, 2024, GSA will host a public meeting for the modernization project in El Paso focused on the recently released draft EIS. The project will then enter a 45-day public comment period so residents and stakeholders have the opportunity to weigh in on the future of BOTA and its role in the community.