Assessing future traffic and environmental and community concerns, the Texas Department of Transportation will hold four public meetings on the proposed La Entrada al Pacifico trade route from Feb. 19-26 in Alpine, Presidio, Fort Stockton and Midland-Odessa.

A study team that has been reviewing the plan will host an open house with data and drawings 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin's Center for Energy and Economic Diversification at Highway 191 and Farm to Market 1788.

A presentation with a question and answer session will be at 7 p.m. "Due to funding limitations and statewide competition from other projects, a plan is needed to address mobility deficiencies, the environment and community visions," said TxDOT Executive Director Amadeo Saenz of Austin.

"If the 25-year trade flow forecast at the Presidio port of entry is significant, this study will help form a plan to minimize area impacts. If the flow is relatively low, it will address only safety and local mobility needs."

Saenz said the review "is not to promote a trade corridor, it's to assess the potential of a corridor and forecast trade flow. Once a realistic number is determined, only then can local and regional impacts on the Texas roadway network be assessed."

With each open house and presentation at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., other meetings will be Tuesday, Feb. 19, in the Espiño Conference Room at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Wednesday, Feb. 20 at Presidio High School and Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Fort Stockton High School.

La Entrada would generally run north from Presidio on U.S. 67-90 through or around Marfa, Alpine and Fort Stockton to Interstate 20 and Midland on 1788 to the Highway 349 reliever route, 349, Lamesa and Lubbock.

Since similar hearings last March, TxDOT has considered freight diversion at ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., trade generation in Mexico, Panama Canal impact and U.S.-Mexico border crossings other than Presidio's, said Saenz.

"The team has worked with representatives of regional groups and communities to review assumptions of the forecasting process and reflect the impact of global economics and assess area needs," he said.