Documentation of Public Hearing (Virtual) Project Location El Paso District’s Annual Bicycle Public Hearing El Paso County, Texas Virtual Hearing Website https://www.txdot.gov Keyword search: “El Paso Bike Hearing” Hearing Date and Time Monday, January 4, 2021 through Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Translation Services Spanish Total Number of Attendees (approx.) 32 Total Number of Commenters 8 760.06.TEM Contents A. Comment Response Matrix B. Public Hearing Officer Certification C. Notices D. Attendance E. Comments Received F. Hearing Materials and Handouts G. Virtual Hearing Room Photos H. Frequently Asked Questions 760.06.TEM Attachment A Comment Response Matrix El Paso District’s Annual Bicycle Public Hearing Public Hearing Summary El Paso County, Texas Attachments TxDOT El Paso District’s Annual Bicycle Public Hearing – January 4 – January 20, 2021 – Comment Response Matrix Comment Commenter Name Date Received Source Comment Response Number COMMENTS SUBMITTED DURING VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING Comment noted. Please see Attachment H, which I am always amazed at how bicycle lanes or paths are created to not connect anywhere. It's as provides responses to frequently asked questions if you non bicyclists think we are content at riding a bicycle 3 miles in one direction and then turn (FAQ’s) regarding Bicycle-related Public Hearings. around and come back on the same path. See FAQ 4. I feel that you will be improving the overall experience downtown where bicycle riders are interested in seeing sights. This is a great place to put in limited bike paths so people visiting EP Comment noted. can ride around safely. Sean Haggerty, a road that I pass by when I am on the Gateway Northbound and headed for Martin Luther King. A short dead end bike path taking riders into a freeway. Not ideal for the Comment noted. See FAQ 6. beginners it was intended for. Bad Bad Bad. Just so you guys from out of town realize that the end of this bridge puts you on a desolate and dangerous part of Dyer Street. That neighborhood at Angora Loop is not a good area at all. This Comment noted. See FAQ 6. bridge your building will be full of crime and mischief. I rode my bicycle down there once and I was praying the whole time. Dogs, bad people, desolation. Rethink this one. Dyer Street to McCombs along Will Ruth. Cute, less than a mile. Know that Dyer and McCombs are extremely congested. Hopefully kids will not venture past your .6 miles you have planned. Comment noted. See FAQ 6. Electronically 1. Ruben Neria 01/04/2021 Kind of like making a playground and surrounding it with lions dens. Submitted Just a comment at how dirty the side lanes of the 375 are now. Can we get funding to run a Comment noted. See FAQ 6. sweeper here once in a while? Good job on selecting Montana. It's a minefield right now. Heaven forbid you have car trouble Comment noted. See FAQ 6. and have to walk on this street. Funny the section of Pebble Hills from George Dieter to Lee Trevino is not addressed. I suffer from all the potholes even in my car. The best cyclists in town find Pebble Hills to be inadequate for riding bicycles because of the rough surface. Making a bicycle plan on this street with no Comment noted. See FAQ 6. resurfacing is a complete waste of money. The bicyclists in the area frequently use the Edgemere street instead. You guys try driving your car on Pebble Hills, seriously. It's unreal. I support the work on Pellicano. It's always a busy street and we could use a little more protection there. It is uphill though, and is not suitable for beginners on Walmart bikes. You will get more Comment noted. See FAQ 6. use if you cater to that population. Finally, Zaragosa lighting. Another one of the most dangerously impossible streets to even walk Comment noted. See FAQ 6. on. Thanks. I currently don't go near there and am scared even in my car... much less walking. So exciting to see TXDOT focusing on bicycle-friendly planning! Your team, in conjunction with Electronically 2. Jenny Burden 01/05/2021 the great work going into the Paso del Norte Trail, will ensure El Paso lives up to its potential for Comment noted. Submitted resident quality of life and tourism interest. 1 - What kind of "meeting" is this? 1 - Please see Attachment H, FAQs 1 through 3. Electronically 3. Michelle Garcia 01/05/2021 2 - It's an insult to the community. 2 - Comment noted. Submitted 2 - How am I supposed to interpret these basic maps? 2 - Please see Attachment H, FAQ 3. El Paso District’s Annual Bicycle Public Hearing Summary Page 1 of 2 Attachment A – Comment Response Matrix TxDOT El Paso District’s Annual Bicycle Public Hearing – January 4 – January 20, 2021 – Comment Response Matrix Comment Commenter Name Date Received Source Comment Response Number 3 - Where's the information attached? 3 - Downloadable information was provided in the virtual Public Hearing Room. If you have additional questions, please contact Adriana Rodriguez, TxDOT El Paso District Bike Coordinator, by phone at (915) 790-4221 or by email at [email protected]. 4 - Due to COVID restrictions, TxDOT was unable to 4 - Where's a representative explaining what exists and what will happen? hold an in-person hearing. However, several opportunities to contact a representative for more information were provided in the virtual Public Hearing “room.” 5 - Timelines and budgets were provided for projects in 5 - Where's an explanation of the timeline and the budget. the virtual Public Hearing room, where available. If you have questions about certain projects, please contact Adrianna Rodriguez. 6 - Where's the information on current status? 6 - The virtual public hearing room provided the current status for each project. 7 - This "meeting" is a farce and an ABSOLUTE waste of my TAX dollars. DO BETTER with your 7 – Based on public comments, TxDOT will incorporate RESOURCES and employees salaries. suggestions on improving information provided in future meetings, where possible. I would like to make sure these bike lanes are made also for adaptive cycles. The foot print is Comment noted. We have added your contact Electronically 4. Mike Osburn 01/05/2021 bigger. If you would my data on adaptive cycles feel free to contact me at information to our contact list for future Bike Hearings Submitted [email protected] Thank You Mike Osburn as requested. Also, please see Attachment H, FAQ 7. I appreciate the efforts that TxDOT and other organizations are putting into making EP a more bike friendly place (for example, safe trails). More work needs to be done to collaborate across transportation departments, planning, and engineering to ensure that all development and projects keep in mind the safety of cyclists. In addition, complete streets that people can safely Comments noted. TxDOT is currently updating design Electronically and equitably access should be of high importance. What good does a trail do if I cannot safely guidance on bicycle accommodations in roadway 5. Sarah Elena Dillabough 01/05/2021 Submitted cross the street to access the trail, if there is a median blocking me from accessing the other side projects that should help address some of the issues of the street, if there is not proper signage for vehicles, and if speed limits on streets are too fast presented. for cyclists to feel safe. I love to cycle, but I do not feel safe accessing community amenities or places, such as stores or pharmacies, due to the behavior that the transportation infrastructure encourages for drivers. Comments noted. TxDOT is currently updating design Electronically Would like to see future roads built with cyclists in mind. I believe in recent years we have been guidance on bicycle accommodations in roadway 6. Gilberto Mendoza 01/06/2021 Submitted on the right track and would like for it to continue with inclusion of feedback provided by cyclists projects that should help address some of the issues presented. The construction of downtown El Paso bicycle facilities should be a priority item. Creating a walkable and bikeable downtown and city is essential to improving the quality of life citizens Comments noted. See FAQ 6. and will further serve to attract and retain residents to our community. Electronically 7. Samuel Archuleta 01/13/2021 The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a huge surge in bicycling across the nation. Creating safe Submitted Comments noted. TxDOT is currently updating design and dedicated bicycle infrastructure not only meets the needs of Texas communities but also guidance on bicycle accommodations in roadway helps reduce road costs by allowing individuals the option of alternative transportation projects that should help address some of the issues (bicycles). It is imperative to carefully and thoughtfully plan for safe bicycle and pedestrian presented. infrastructure. El Paso District’s Annual Bicycle Public Hearing Summary Page 2 of 2 Attachment A – Comment Response Matrix TxDOT El Paso District’s Annual Bicycle Public Hearing – January 4 – January 20, 2021 – Comment Response Matrix Comment Commenter Name Date Received Source Comment Response Number It is no longer acceptable that we, El Paso region do not have a connected, protected all-ages and all-abilities bicycle network. It is no longer acceptable that those who rely on bicycle transportation and multimodal transit have to wait indefinitely for a safe mobility network to be implemented. Please see Attachment H, FAQs 3 and 4. TxDOT and the MPO must engage in real, genuine public outreach that provides much more Electronically Based on public comments, TxDOT will incorporate 8.