City: Inspection needed before Pebble Hills-Zaragoza intersection can be opened to drivers
The City of El Paso said Tuesday it is not yet ready to open the new Pebble Hills-Zaragoza intersection to drivers on the Far East Side.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the $2.5 million project was held late last year after the city annexed five acres of land needed to complete the extension of Pebble Hills. There used to be a dead end just east of Zaragoza. Pebble Hills continues west of Zaragoza.
“They’re taking a bit too long. It’s ready. I don’t see why they can’t open it already,” Far East resident Patty Boren said.
ABC-7 asked Russell Williams why the intersection, which appears to be complete, is not yet available for drivers. Williams is the Engineering Program Administrator for City of El Paso’s Capital Improvements Project.
“Tomorrow, our project manager and other city departments will be going through the pre-final walk,” Williams said. “Basically, what happens is they inspect the whole area without the contractor, who then has 30 days to take care of any deficiencies the city spotted.”
When the 30 days are up, there will be a final inspection. If the project manager, along with city staff believe the project is complete, then an opening date will be announced, said Tammy Fonce, a city spokeswoman.
When ready for use, the east-west thoroughfare will run from from John Hayes Street in Far East El Paso to Yarbrough on the East Side.
City officials said the project will “fill in an important missing link in Far East El Paso’s transportation network.”
The extension will give drivers heading east on Pebble Hills the option of accessing Loop 375 without having to drive south on Zaragoza to its heavily-congested intersection at Montwood.
