City of El Paso
- government
- El Paso, Texas
Construction Type
Improvements
Project Delivery Method
Design-Bid-Build
Project Components
New toll-collection facility, the pedestrian corridor connection between downtown El Paso and the bridge, a new pedestrian plaza space in the historic Lion’s Placita, and development of signature canopies to provide shade and protection for pedestrian visitors
More than 22 million pedestrians cross the bridges between El Paso, Texas, and Juárez, Mexico, per year. The Paso Del Norte facility, where 20,000 pedestrians come into El Paso daily, is the second busiest of El Paso’s bridges.
Parkhill’s work to upgrade the Paso Del Norte crossing center was two-pronged: design the facility to be both secure and aesthetically pleasing. Parkhill started the project with a two-day stakeholders’ work session with the US Border and Customs, US General Services Administration, US Border Patrol, US Homeland Security, US Federal Protective Service, TxDOT, City of El Paso, El Paso Downtown Business Association, El Paso City Council and Chihuahuita Neighborhood Association. Parkhill led the work sessions, encouraging shared ideas among the many groups. Included in the scope of work is a new toll-collection facility, the pedestrian corridor connection between downtown El Paso and the bridge, a new pedestrian plaza space with benches in the historic Lion’s Placita, and the development of signature canopies to provide sun protection for visitors. Designing and installing the bridge canopies was a challenge due to security requirements and coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection along with high traffic of pedestrians.
As part of the aesthetics of the project, Parkhill coordinated with famed Mexican artist Sebastian to position a 45-foot-tall, night-lit steel alloy sculpture on-site. The statue titled “Aguacero” depicts an El Paso desert downpour passionately taken in by the soil. The City of El Paso Museums & Cultural Affairs Department commissioned the artwork.
The last Paso Del Norte facility update was completed at least three decades before this project. The upgrades brought the facility into the 21st century and included enhancing the outdoor pedestrian waiting area, trees, rock walls, automated toilets, variable electronic messaging signs in a digital kiosk, and new offices.
Services provided
Architectural, interiors, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical, engineering, structural engineering for toll facility, landscape architecture, and irrigation
Project leadership
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