ONLY ON ABC-7: Why is “First Street” an unpaved road in Las Cruces?

“First Street” in Las Cruces is not a bustling and lively street in the heart of the city’s downtown.

Instead, it’s an unpaved dirt road in west central Las Cruces that neighbors say is difficult to navigate.

“This is a total lack of infrastructure preparation from decades ago,” said Buddy Rogers, who told ABC-7 he moved to the neighborhood between Picacho and Hadley avenues eight years ago.

Most of the other roads in the neighborhood are paved, but First Street remains a dirt road with potholes. Because Second Street is undergoing major construction, neighbors say people frequently use First Street as a detour.

“Since the construction has come through here, it’s been total disaster,” Rogers said. “They just jam each other up, speed through here. They’re always angry because they gotta take a detour.”​

“It’s too small for a roadway,” said David Maestas, the director of the city’s Public Works Department. “First Street itself does not have sufficient width.”

Maestas told ABC-7 that the residents are right: Drivers shouldn’t use First Street as a detour during the construction. He also said the city doesn’t have any immediate plans to pave the road. And, as for the name?

“As far as I know, it’s called First Street because that’s what was platted when the subdivision was first brought in several years ago,” Maestas said.

“I think that if it says First Street, it should be paved,” said Bertha Duncil, who also lives in the area. “It shouldn’t be a dirt road.”