By KRWG News
El Paso – The El Paso City Council has approved zoning changes clearing the way for construction of the $80 million Trans Mountain Road freeway.
The 3-mile highway will link Interstate 10 and the Franklin Mountains.
The council Tuesday approved updates to the city's development code to give the Texas Department of Transportation the green light for the project. Council members learned last week that the zoning to allow for commercial development of the mountainside land was already in effect.
The El Paso Times reported Wednesday that the plan includes walking and bicycle trails on both sides of the freeway.
TxDOT says building the freeway, as part of Loop 375, has been a part of the region's mobility plan for years. Work could start by January.
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Information from: El Paso Times, http://www.elpasotimes.com
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.