First phase of work on Hidalgo Avenue in San Luis wrapped up

SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Work is scheduled to be wrapped up this week on the first phase of a street paving project that includes what city officials call a much-needed sewer line repair on the west side of the city.

Hidalgo Avenue is being paved between Juan Sanchez Boulevard and Villa Street in a project that began nearly five months ago.

The $413,000 project was funded through a federal Community Block Develoment Grant, and City Public Works Director John Starkey said the next step is to secure funding for the second phase, which will extend paving along Hidalgo north from Villa to Main Street.

City officials say they are anxious to get the second phase started because once completed, Hidalgo can draw traffic from Main Street, relieving congestion on Main, particularly in the winter months when more motorists travel between the United States and Mexico.

Aside from the paving, the first phase included construction of sidewalks and gutters and repairs to an aging sewer line along Hidalgo that had begun to sag.

"The project has progressed without problems," Starkey said. "There were a few days of delay in completion of the work, but it didn’t affect it."

The second phase of the paving, from Villa to Main, is estimated to cost $300,000, and Starkey said the city has submitted grant applications for the funding.

Looking ahead, Starkey said the city wants to repave Juan Sanchez, one of two roads leading into the city, between 10th Avenue and Avenue F.

And, he said, in a project to be done jointing with the city, the Arizona Department of Transportation will soon begin the $1.2 million design phase for widening Juan Sanchez to four lanes. The beginning date of actual construction in indefinite, depending on the availability of funds, Starkey said.

Also planned is the widening of Avenue E, the road that connects the San Luis II commercial port of entry with State Route 195, the highway taken by commercial tractor-trailers traveling between the United States and Mexico.

Workers forDPE Construction in Yuma make improvements to Hidalgo Avenue in San Luis, Ariz.