Regional Mobility Authority says Pelicano widening may restart after bankruptcy rulings; interim fix bids received

The Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority told the El Paso County Commissioners Court on Jan. 23 that it expects a court ruling soon in a bankruptcy dispute over the Pelicano widening project and that a surety company has solicited bids to complete an interim portion of the work.

Raymond Reyes, principal with the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority, gave the update. Reyes said the original contractor stopped work at roughly 50% completion, the RMA declared the contractor in default and the RMA pursued a claim against the contractor’s performance bond. JER Concrete later filed for bankruptcy; the case converted from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7 and a trustee was assigned. Reyes said the RMA filed a declaratory-judgment action in the bankruptcy court to determine whether the default was proper and that the judge split the case into several segments and has held “mini trials.”

Reyes said a bench…