Phase One of Pellicano Drive Widening Project Completed in Far East El Paso County

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — After years of construction delays and frustration for drivers and local businesses, Phase One of the Pellicano Drive widening project is complete.

Officials marked the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, celebrating the completion of a roadway improvement project that has faced significant setbacks, including contractor bankruptcy and legal disputes.

However, Phase Two remains ahead, with no construction start date set.

Raymond Telles, executive director of the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA), described the project as one of the most challenging of his career.

“This is probably the most difficult project in my career,” Telles said, citing contractor default, lawsuits, bankruptcy and appeals as factors that complicated construction.

The approximately three-mile Pellicano Drive widening project is designed to expand the roadway from Loop 375 toward Darrington Road, with six lanes, raised medians and bike lanes.

Phase One includes six lanes, with three lanes in each direction, and a raised center median along the stretch from Mission Ridge to Loop 375.

Officials identified this section as a priority because it serves nearby neighborhoods, schools and businesses.

Construction delays have affected residents and business owners who rely on Pellicano Drive for daily commutes and customer access.

El Paso County Commissioner Iliana Holguin, who represents Precinct 3, said residents and business owners voiced frustration over the prolonged construction.

“We heard from so many residents who were just, very understandably, angry, frustrated, business owners who couldn’t access their business,” Holguin said. “It was a terrible situation, and that’s why the county moved as quickly as we could.”

The original contractor, JAR Construction, filed for bankruptcy in 2023, further delaying the project.

HAWK Construction later took over the work, helping bring Phase One to completion.

Telles acknowledged the impact the delays had on the surrounding community, saying the project affected residents more than it should have.

Local businesses also faced challenges during construction, including reduced customer access and lost revenue.

Bryan Romero, owner of Pepe’s Barbershop, said the disruption took a financial toll on his business and made hiring employees more difficult.

“Probably tens of thousands of dollars to start with there,” Romero said, describing the financial impact. “Business-wise, hiring employees has been very difficult. Clientele-wise, being a barber, it’s been very difficult.”

With Phase One complete, Romero said he is hopeful the improved roadway will make it easier for customers to reach his business and for residents to travel through the area.

“As a resident, I’m really excited because I’m able to commute through here,” Romero said. “I’m excited for all the residents that are gonna be able to commute through here now.”

Although Phase One is complete, the overall widening project is not finished.

According to Holguin, officials are continuing negotiations with the contractor’s surety company while design and engineering work for Phase Two moves forward.

The next phase will require additional planning, including work involving utility lines beneath the roadway. Officials have not announced a construction start date for Phase Two.

“Phase Two is being designed,” Holguin said. “Of course, there’s a lot of architecture, engineering work that has to be done. There’s utility lines that are gonna have to go under the road.”

Telles emphasized that additional work is needed to complete the planned connection toward Darrington Road.

“Remember, we’re not done, right? So this is Phase One. We still have Phase Two,” Telles said. “We’ve got a long way to go to get from where we are today, onto Darrington.”

For residents and businesses along Pellicano Drive, the completion of Phase One marks progress after years of disruption.

The next milestone will depend on the completion of Phase Two planning and negotiations, as officials continue working toward the project’s remaining improvements.

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