Northgate Transfer Center Breaks Ground August 12th

By Armando Landin   

The long-awaited Northgate Transfer Center project will break ground August 12, 2016, marking the beginning of construction for the anchor of the Metro 31 transit oriented development.

The planned Northgate Transfer Center in Northeast El Paso will have an official groundbreaking ceremony on August 12, 2016. (City of El Paso)

The $10.6 million transfer center, located at 9347 Diana Drive in Northeast El Paso, will include a park and ride garage and an enclosed waiting area with nearby ticketing areas. A large, outdoor pedestrian plaza is also planned.

Northgate Transit Project To Break Ground Soon

The City of El Paso will vote Tuesday on awarding a contract for the construction of the Northgate Transfer Center, signalling that work should begin in the coming weeks.

Construction on the Northgate Transfer Center in Northeast El Paso should begin in the coming weeks. (City of El Paso)

Northgate's transit terminal is the first part of the larger Metro 31 transit oriented development planned in Northeast El Paso.

Renderings Reveal Look of Future Northgate Transfer Center

By Armando Landin

The architect for the Northgate Transfer Center project in Northeast El Paso is offering a peak at what the future development may look like. Exigo Architecture, of El Paso, has posted renderings of the transfer center at its website.

This rendering shows what the Northgate Transfer Center may look like, coming soon to Northeast El Paso. (www.exigoarch.com)

The Northgate Transfer Center is considered a "catalyst" by the City of El Paso for the future transit-oriented Metro 31 smart growth community, which will be adjacent to this project. It will be used as the terminus of the Dyer Corridor of the Brio Rapid Transit System, currently under development.

City to Hold Community Meetings for Alameda Rapid Transit System

By Armando Landin

Residents along the future Alameda corridor of the Brio Rapid Transit System (RTS) will get to view final design plans during upcoming community meetings, beginning February 23, 2016, at the Downtown Transfer Center.


The RTS line will run 14 miles from Downtown El Paso to the Mission Valley Transfer Center in the Lower Valley and will include the same amenities found on the existing Mesa Street corridor. This includes use of the 60-foot articulated buses that arrive at stations every 10 minutes during peak hours.

Update: City Approves 'Metro 31' Mixed Use Project for Northeast El Paso

City Council voted unanimously today to approve the new SmartCode, mixed-use project planned for Northeast El Paso at the former Northpark Mall property. This gives Hunt Development Group the green light from the City to move forward with final design and construction for the vacant 31-acre property.

An artistic rendering of the western entrance to the Metro 31 development off of Diana Street, coming to Northeast El Paso in the next few years. (City Council Agenda)

Up next, Hunt will seek a similar incentives agreement from the County of El Paso worth $5 million, which would add to the $13.7 million that City approved.

Read our previous story from November 28, 2014: This is 'Metro 31': City Reveals Northgate SmartCode Project Details

Brio RTS Launches First Route

After years of planning, engineering, and construction, Sun Metro has finally launched its first Brio Rapid Transit System (RTS) route. The Mesa Corridor route begins officially running on October 27, 2014.

El Paso's mass transit system held a "launch party" on Monday at Cleveland Square. The Mesa Corridor route runs from Downtown El Paso to the Westside Transfer Center, with 22 stops along the round trip.

Five Points Terminal Reopens in Central El Paso

The Sun Metro Transit Terminal in the Five Points neighborhood in Central El Paso has reopened after a year-long renovation.

The Five Points Transit Terminal boarding map. The terminal has reopened after a year of renovation work in Central El Paso. (sunmetro.net)

The terminal received exterior and interior updates, including facade upgrades, new restroom fixtures, WiFi, monitors, new benches, electronic arrivals signs, and ticket vending machines.

Weekly Edition, Issue 67

The Weekly Edition, Issue 67 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• ADP to Add 150,000 SF Facility in West El Paso
• Nothing Bundt Cakes Next 'Fountains' Tenant
• NewsBits Updates on Several Projects Around the City

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Sun Metro Debuts Brio Extended Buses, 1st Completed Station

Sun Metro officials unveiled eight of the brand new Brio articulated bus units last week which will be used for the Bus Rapid Transit System set to launch later this year.

A brand new Brio bus stops at the Glory Road RTS station near UTEP. The Mesa Street line should begin operation in late summer or early fall. (facebook.com/sunmetro)

The 60-foot buses include three doors, free WiFi, monitors, and interior bike racks. The Glory Road Brio station was also completed, the first in the Mesa Corridor line. Once live, Brio buses will arrive at stations every 10 minutes during peak hours.

Weekly Edition, Issue 55

The Weekly Edition, Issue 55 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• Toll Rates Revealed for Border Highway West: State to Hold Public Hearing to Discuss Project Financing, Tolling
• City Narrows Palisades Canyon Trailhead Design
• Gander Mountain Chooses East El Paso for New Store: Outdoor Specialty Retailer to Open Location Near Joe Battle & Montwood
• Sun Metro Debuts Brio Extended Buses, First Completed Station

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Weekly Edition, Issue 35

The Weekly Edition, Issue 35 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• Montecillo Makes Big Moves: Project Readies for Town Center, Westward Expansion
• City Working on Palisades Canyon Trailhead Design
• Ballpark Traffic Study Findings to be Released: Construction on Stadium Continues at Steady Pace
• NewsBits by El Paso DevWire

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UTEP Updates: RTS, Kerbey Projects Add to Construction

Two City projects are adding to the current construction taking place in the vicinity of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) campus. A mass transit project and a traffic calming project will affect areas around UTEP, according to the school’s On the Move website (www.onthemove.utep.edu).

Ground was broken earlier this year on the Mesa Bus Rapid Transit System (RTS) corridor, and crews are now working on constructing the platform that will serve as the Glory Road RTS station. The station will sit across the street from the Glory Road Transfer Center and Parking Garage.

A Brio RTS station will be built at the Glory Road Transfer Center. (Rendering: sunmetro.net)

The City’s Brio RTS line will run from the Downtown Transfer Center to the West Side Transfer Center and will make a stop at UTEP. This is the first of four corridors that are planned for the RTS line. The others are Alameda Avenue, Montana Avenue, and Dyer Street.

The second project involves Kerbey Avenue to the east of the UTEP campus in the residential area. The City will be installing roundabouts at three intersections as traffic calming measures at Florence Street, Saint Vrain Street, and Blanchard Avenue.

Rendering of what Wiggins Plaza will look like once complete.

Crews will also re-stripe the street as part of the project. Construction on the roundabout project should begin this month and be completed in 45 days.

Five Points Terminal Closes for Upgrades

Project will Prepare Facility for Rapid Transit Bus Units

Sun Metro officials recently announced the temporary closure of the Five Points Transit Terminal in central El Paso. Several bus routes are affected by the construction.

The mass transit department has created an Alternate Boarding Site for passengers to use along Tularosa Avenue and Raynor Street. The temporary boarding location includes shade canopies, trash cans, benches, and informational displays. 

Renovations on the Transit Terminal are expected to last through early 2014 and are necessary to prepare the facility for the 60-foot extended buses that will serve the Rapid Transit System under development by the City.

Alternate boarding site from www.sunmetro.net.

Crews will replace benches, improve landscaping, update restrooms, and refresh the exterior walls with cultured stone and stucco. WiFi access, TV monitors, electronic real-time signs, ticket vending machines, and new space for a concessions vendor will be added as new amenities.

For information on affected routes and the Alternate Boarding Site, visit www.sunmetro.net. 

Weekly Edition, Issue 15

The Weekly Edition, Issue 15, has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE.

In this edition:

• Continuing Transformation: UTEP Construction Advances
• Mixed-Income Community Breaks Ground: $22M 'Eastside Crossings' Will Create 188 Units
• Five Points Terminal Closes for Upgrades: Project will Prepare Facility for RTS Buses

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Brio Webpage Refreshed: City Updates Bus RTS Site

In just over one year’s time, El Pasoans will be using Sun Metro’s newest addition, the Brio Bus Rapid Transit System (RTS). And now the City has revamped Brio’s webpage (www.sunmetro.net/brio.html) with lots of new information and graphics regarding the “like rail” system that will go live in 2014.

This rendering from the Brio page at Sun Metro's website shows what the RTS unit will look like. (sunmetro.net)

New renderings of what the 62 foot articulated bus units will look like show the same bright blue, white, and green color scheme that Sun Metro adopted within the last few years. The buses have an extension in the back to allow room for more passengers, made distinct by the bendable midsection that looks like an accordion.

Other details include unique rearview mirrors and a front windshield that’s framed by a large swooping curve that creates a large smile on the bus’s façade. The units will have three boarding doors for passengers to use.

The interior of the buses will include 58 seats with additional standing room for 25 passengers. There will be two positions for wheelchairs and an inside rack with room for three bicycles. WiFi is also incorporated into each unit.

Weekly Edition, Issue 12

The Weekly Edition, Issue 12, has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE.

In this edition:

• Montecillo Unveils Town Center Site Plan
• Brio Webpage Refreshed: City Updates Bus RTS Site
• New Downtown Bank Opens this Week
• TI:ME at Montecillo Introduces Layout
  

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Sun Metro Updates Present, Future Projects

Brio Bus Renderings, New Facility Are System Highlights

Updates recently provided to the City’s Mass Transit Board help give insight into Sun Metro’s current and future projects. The City department is working on four Bus Rapid Transit System (RTS) lines as well as getting ready to move into a new administrative and maintenance facility.

Rendering of a Brio articulated bus. (Renderings: www.sunmetro.net)

The long-planned Brio RTS lines will begin with the Mesa Corridor which will open next year. The Alameda Corridor will follow later in 2014, with the Dyer and Montana Corridors coming in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Renderings of a Brio articulated bus and station show a colorful motif using streaks of lime green and bright blue. 

The Brio stations will have clock displays showing expected bus arrivals in real-time and will also have pre-board ticketing machines. The four Brio routes will have a total cost of $140 million, nearly half of which will come from federal funding.

Sun Metro’s brand new Operations & Maintenance Facility is progressing on the city’s east side. The $38 million facility is currently under construction at 10151 Montana Avenue, west of Global Reach Drive. Sun Metro will move to the 34 acre center from its current location adjacent to the Union Depot station in downtown El Paso.

Nighttime view of Sun Metro's future Operations building on Montana Avenue.

Other coming projects include development of the streetcar project ($95 million) and the addition of two new transfer centers ($10 million). Three Transit Oriented Developments are in progress, at the Northgate Transfer Center, at the Far East Transfer Center, and at the Five Points Terminal.

In 2012, Sun Metro carried over 17,000,000 passengers on 166 buses. It has over 600 employees and operates on an annual budget of $61.1 million.

Details: www.sunmetro.net

Bus RTS Line Set to Open Next Year

Contract Awarded for Mesa RTS Corridor

El Paso’s first bus Rapid Transit System (RTS) line could be up and running in just over a year. That’s according to a presentation given to the El Paso City Council at its April 9, 2013 meeting as part of a vote to award the contract for the project.

The Mesa Corridor route will stretch from downtown El Paso to the city’s west side.

Sun Metro’s Brio RTS system will first run along Mesa Street and stretch from the Downtown Transfer Center to the Westside Transfer Center on Remcon Circle. Twenty-two RTS stations will be located along the route.

The line will use uniquely branded 60-foot articulated buses which stop less frequently than normal bus routes. Special branded and landscaped stations will distinguish the line from regular city buses. Station amenities part of the construction include canopy lighting, raised platforms, wind and sun screens on shelters, pre-paid automatic ticket vending, benches/leaning rails, bike racks, trash cans, and wayfinding pylons.

The City has awarded the $9.8 million contract to Martinez Bros. Contractors, LLC of El Paso. Funding comes from a mix of sources which include 2011 Certificates of Obligation, federal funding, and the Texas Department of Transportation Mobility Plan.

Three additional lines are planned. Alameda Avenue should begin shortly after the Mesa route, with Dyer Street following in 2015. Montana Avenue is scheduled for completion in 2016.

Construction on the Mesa corridor route is scheduled to begin in June of this year with service beginning in July of 2014.

The City Council agenda item can be found at http://goo.gl/31k8v.

Brio, City's Bus Rapid Transit, Coming Soon

The City of El Paso's upcoming "like rail" bus rapid transit (BRT) system is nearing reality as planning for the Mesa Corridor is scheduled for completion by August 8, 2012. The Mass Transit Board received an update at its July meeting indicating that all the transit stops along Mesa have been finalized with station design also finished. Public art displayed at the stations is still pending approval. Residents will come to know the El Paso BRT as "Brio"

According to the Sun Metro website, typical RTS elements include:
· Frequent service (10 to 15 minute frequency)
· Less frequent stops (locations of stops about one mile apart)
· Branded vehicles and stations (uniquely painted buses and stations to easily identify service)
· Amenities at stops (such as real-time bus schedules)
· Signal prioritization (buses will have ability to shorten red or lengthen green traffic signals)
· Fare prepayment (save time by paying for your fare before boarding)
· Local bus feeder network (circulators take passengers to RTS stops faster to reduce overall travel time)

Conceptual image of a Mesa Corridor Brio Station.

The Brio Mesa Corridor will span 8.4 miles with 13 proposed stations with construction beginning in February of 2013. All stations along the corridor will measure 65 feet in length with protective canopies varying in size. Lighting and shade trees are part of the landscape plans for all stations. Stations and buses will also include free Wi-Fi. The route could be completed by January of 2014.

Proposed public art details for the Alameda Corridor Brio Stations.

The next Brio route in the planning stages is the Alameda Corridor which will span a much longer 15.4 miles upon completion. With 17 planned stations, this route could go to construction in April of 2013 and be completed in one year.

Two additional routes are in the initial planning stages, the Dyer Corridor and the Montana Corridor. Dyer will span 11.7 miles and have 12 stations with construction tentatively completed by September of 2015. Montana will be the longest corridor at 18.4 miles long and have 18 proposed stations. That corridor could be complete by September of 2016.

RTS buses are typically longer to allow for more passenger space

The logo and branding campaign for the Brio Rapid Transit System has not yet been finalized.

Mass Transit Board agenda: http://home.elpasotexas.gov/sunmetro/transit_agenda.asp
Sun Metro RTS page: http://home.elpasotexas.gov/sunmetro/rts.html