EL PASO – The "Committee on Rail" of the Paso Del Norte region for the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will hold a conference beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, August 29 in City Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor, City Hall.

The conference will focus on challenges and solutions for rail transportation in the El Paso-Juarez region.  Scheduled presenters for the conference are as follows:

o       Senator Eliot Shapleigh – Commuter Rail

o       Roy Gilyard – Current rail plans in Paso Del Norte  Region

o       Juan Carlos Villa – Impacts from West Coast Enhancements and New Ports

o       Chris Blewett – New Mexico’s Road Runner Rail

o       Sid Covington – Austin-San Antonio Commuter

o       Sergio Acosta Del Val – Proposal for the Implementation of a Railway Port in the Area of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua – Santa Teresa, NM.

The public and media are invited to attend.  Also, a public comment portion of the program has been scheduled.

What: COMMITTEE ON RAIL OF THE PASO DEL NORTE REGION FOR THE EL PASO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION —Full Committee Hearing

When: Friday, August 29, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.

Where: El Paso City Hall, City Council Chamber
2nd Floor
2 Civic Center Plaza
El Paso, TX 79901