EL PASO MOBILITY COALITION (EMCo)
EMCo’s mission is to improve regional mobility by advocating for transportation infrastructure funding.
History & overview
In 2019, the El Paso Chamber established the El Paso Mobility Coalition (EMCo) as a platform dedicated to advancing advocacy efforts for transportation initiatives in our region. The efficient flow of transportation is crucial for the economic success of any community, and this holds particular significance for us as a border community, national logistics hub, and for our members.
EMCo is financially supported by businesses, which form the Executive Committee. Other EMCo partners are composed of appropriate staff from each government entity or non-profit.
To facilitate collaboration, government entities and non-profits convene on a bi-weekly basis, and ALL partners of the coalition to include the Executive Committee convene quarterly to strategize and guide the coalition's initiatives.
Executive Committee
- Chair, Ted Houghton, HFP Solutions
- Co-Chair, Steve Ortega, Steve Ortega Law, LLC
- Jobe Materials
- Hunt Companies
- DEC
- Jacobs
- GCC
- Paso del Norte Foundation
- Sundt
- HNTB
- Mesilla Valley Trucking
- Coconal
- HDR
- Sarabias Sanitation
- LJA Engineering
- BTC Compliance Group
EMCo Partners
- City of El Paso
- County of El Paso
- El Paso MPO
- Office of Congresswoman Veronica Escobar
- Office of Congressman Tony Gonzales
- Office of Senator Cesar Blanco
- Office of Rep. Lina Ortega
- Office of Rep. Joe Moody
- Office of Rep. Claudia Ordaz
- TXDoT
- El Paso Community Foundation
- Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority
- Ysleta del Sur Pueblo
- New Mexico Border Authority
- Office of Juarez Mayor
- Office of the Mexican Consultate
Key Transportation Projects and Initiatives
1-10 Segment 2:
Enhancing the rehabilitation and expansion of I-10 Segment 2, situated in downtown El Paso, is a top priority due to the current poor pavement condition and its role as a significant bottleneck along the interstate.
Downtown Deck Plaza:
The Chamber supports the construction of a green cap over I-10 which will unite adjacent neighborhoods in downtown El Paso.
Bridge of the Americas Modernization and Expansion Project:
EMCo is working with Congresswoman Veronica Escobar’s Office to create a plan that enhances regional mobility, fuels binational trade, reduces our carbon footprint, and enables El Paso to have a resilient port that is unique to our region.
Land Ports Study:
EMCo is working with the El Paso MPO and other transportation partners to conduct an analysis of the key needs of all land ports from Tornillo in El Paso County, Texas to Santa Teresa, New Mexico to initiate a plan that is comprehensive to all ports and infrastructure corridors as a regional system that is conducive to a healthy binational economy.
Marcelino Serna Port of Entry:
EMCo is dedicated to working with all stakeholders to utilize the land port to help increase the efficiency of trade and commerce throughout the region.
Paso Del Norte Trail:
Community-driven effort to develop a 68-mile trail from County line to County line.
El Paso Mission Trail:
Through the Mission Trail Alliance, the Chamber and EMCo are dedicated to finding funding sources for the historic nine-mile corridor between Ysleta, Socorro, and San Elizario.
San Diego-Tijuana Delegation Trip
A delegation of business and community leaders visited the San Diego-Tijuana region to explore and discuss crucial border infrastructure developments and to share best practices to improve mobility and efficiency at our ports of entry.
The trip advanced the existing connections between El Paso and San Diego, fostering relationships that are expected to lead to collaboration on cross-border initiatives and projects. The valuable insights that were shared during the trip encompassed topics such as border security, wait times, reducing green gas emissions, transportation infrastructure improvements, and successful cross-border partnerships.
Coordination of transportation planning efforts between El Paso, Southern New Mexico and Ciudad Juarez must be a priority. Our region must work as one - underscored by the reality that our region’s ports must be planned and managed as a system of six ports across three states and two countries.
More from EMCo’s Transportation Partners
"The most effective way for our community to prosper is for us to work together to identify our priorities and all opportunities that will help us grow. I’m grateful to the Chamber for bringing community stakeholders together through the Mobility Coalition to focus on El Paso’s infrastructure needs. The Mobility Coalition’s strength comes from its ability to bring together so many voices—from business leaders to governmental entities—all from within our community."
- Veronica Escobar, U.S. Congresswoman, Texas’ 16th Congressional District
"As a member of El Paso’s business community, our organization has been proud to work with the Chamber’s transportation coalition to make sure our voices are heard in Austin and in Washington. As a binational community, we must convene and speak with one strong voice-EMCo is making that happen."
- Joseph Riccillo, Vice President and Regional Manager of Sundt Construction
"The Chamber’s Mobility Coalition has filled in a need for our community to have transportation advocates in Austin. El Paso historically, has not received our fair share of funding. Working with the coalition means our community now has a stronger voice in Austin."
- Lina Ortega, State Representative
"Working with the Chamber’s Mobility Coalition has been such a pleasure. Prior to Chairman Houghton’s time on the transportation commission, El Paso struggled to receive our fair share of transportation dollars. Now that we no longer have a commissioner from El Paso on the Texas Transportation Commission, it is imperative that we plan, coordinate, and advocate with a single voice for our community’s transportation needs-the mobility coalition is fulfilling that role and we are proud to be part of these efforts"
- Kelvin Kroeker, El Paso Area Practice Lead, HNTB
Mobility Champions
Visionary Leaders
