EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 After years of construction delays and frustration for drivers and local businesses, Phase One of the Pellicano Drive widening project is complete.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
However, Phase Two remains ahead, with no construction start date set.<\/p>\n
Raymond Telles, executive director of the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA), described the project as one of the most challenging of his career.<\/p>\n
Destiny Venecia reports on Phase One of Pellicano Drive Widening Project Completed in Far East El Paso County (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
RELATED: Ribbon cutting set for Thursday as Pellicano Drive widening reaches first-phase finish<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis is probably the most difficult project in my career,\u201d Telles said, citing contractor default, lawsuits, bankruptcy and appeals as factors that complicated construction.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Officials identified this section as a priority because it serves nearby neighborhoods, schools and businesses.<\/p>\n Construction delays have affected residents and business owners who rely on Pellicano Drive for daily commutes and customer access.<\/p>\n El Paso County Commissioner Iliana Holguin, who represents Precinct 3, said residents and business owners voiced frustration over the prolonged construction.<\/p>\n \u201cWe heard from so many residents who were just, very understandably, angry, frustrated, business owners who couldn’t access their business,\u201d Holguin said. \u201cIt was a terrible situation, and that’s why the county moved as quickly as we could.\u201d<\/p>\n The original contractor, JAR Construction, filed for bankruptcy in 2023, further delaying the project.<\/p>\n HAWK Construction later took over the work, helping bring Phase One to completion.<\/p>\n Telles acknowledged the impact the delays had on the surrounding community, saying the project affected residents more than it should have.<\/p>\n Local businesses also faced challenges during construction, including reduced customer access and lost revenue.<\/p>\n Bryan Romero, owner of Pepe’s Barbershop, said the disruption took a financial toll on his business and made hiring employees more difficult.<\/p>\n \u201cProbably tens of thousands of dollars to start with there,\u201d Romero said, describing the financial impact. \u201cBusiness-wise, hiring employees has been very difficult. Clientele-wise, being a barber, it’s been very difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a resident, I’m really excited because I’m able to commute through here,\u201d Romero said. \u201cI’m excited for all the residents that are gonna be able to commute through here now.\u201d<\/p>\n Although Phase One is complete, the overall widening project is not finished.<\/p>\n According to Holguin, officials are continuing negotiations with the contractor’s surety company while design and engineering work for Phase Two moves forward.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cPhase Two is being designed,\u201d Holguin said. \u201cOf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Telles emphasized that additional work is needed to complete the planned connection toward Darrington Road.<\/p>\n \u201cRemember, we’re not done, right? So this is Phase One. We still have Phase Two,\u201d Telles said. \u201cWe’ve got a long way to go to get from where we are today, onto Darrington.\u201d<\/p>\n For residents and businesses along Pellicano Drive, the completion of Phase One marks progress after years of disruption. <\/p>\n The next milestone will depend on the completion of Phase Two planning and negotiations, as officials continue working toward the project’s remaining improvements.<\/p>\n RELATED: What’s Driving You Crazy: Pellicano project phase one nearing finish<\/a><\/p>\n RELATED: Four major Far East El Paso County projects beginning soon<\/a><\/p>\n