Businesses impacted by construction on Montana Avenue

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Some El Paso businesses are now struggling after years of construction on Montana Avenue has been causing high traffic in the area.

The project looks to expand Montana Avenue between Global Reach Drive and Zaragoza Road.

Construction for the project started in 2020, and since then some business owners said they are seeing a decrease in customer traffic.

Kyle Kracht, General Manager for Iron Grind Fitness said about a quarter of their sales have been impacted.

"We're just losing people because of this. Members are frustrated that they have to drive around closed roads. They got to find different routes to get here. It interrupts their schedule and their time that they blocked out to come to the gym," said Kracht.

Kracht said some members rather pay the cancellation fee, then continue coming to the gym and dealing with construction traffic.

"They'll be literally in traffic and call us and say you know what I just don't want to be there anymore," he added.

With constant renovations being made to keep customers happy, Kracht said they are going stick it through and hope it can be finished soon.

They ask gym members be patient in the meantime.

"We're not going to leave here, we want our members to know if you stick with us, we're going to stick with you., we're going to keep pushing, we're going to keep moving until all of this is over," he said.

ABC-7 reached out to TxDot El Paso on the progress of the construction. A spokesperson said they are working to keep businesses in that area updated.

They add the second phase of the project began on February 9. They expect the frontage road will be completed in 6 to 8 months.