The Socorro City Council voted unanimously July 3 to direct staff to research the process and implications of discontinuing the Arterial 1 road project after more than an hour of public comment and a staff presentation on the project's history, alternatives and NEPA status.

The decision came after a city presentation describing the project's background and the role of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization in a federally overseen NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process. The presentation reiterated that no NEPA preferred alternative had been selected and that prior studies, public workshops and updated alternatives were part of an ongoing environmental and design review.

Why it matters: Arterial 1 has been discussed in local planning documents since 2013 and carries potential right‑of‑way impacts to long‑standing neighborhoods. Residents told council they fear displacement, changes in property access and damage to community character. Council's direction will compel staff to return with a factual report on legal obligations, reimbursement risks, grant implications and next steps before any final action is taken.

Residents who live near proposed alignments told council they had not received clear notice, reported confusion about permits and developer activity, and asked the city to halt the project. Chris Trujillo, a resident who said he lives near Sylvia Road, asked council to "dismiss this project and move it out of this town," and warned of stress and community harm if construction proceeds. Several other speakers described potential loss of property value and family hardship if a route were built adjacent to existing homes.

Council discussion emphasized clarifying facts before acting. Mayor Rudy Cruz framed the council motion as "not the easy path, but the hard path," saying the item would allow the city to research the legal and financial steps required to discontinue the project. "We've placed this agenda item on the table for city council's consideration," he told residents during the meeting.

What council voted to do: Council approved a motion to direct staff to research the process and implications of discontinuing the Arterial 1 project. The vote was recorded as an affirmative voice vote by all members present. The motion did not adopt a no‑build alternative or otherwise make a final project determination; it was a direction to staff to compile the consequences and return with a report for a future public meeting.

Next steps and follow up: City staff and legal counsel will evaluate whether discontinuing the project would trigger reimbursement obligations to federal or state agencies (including TxDOT or the Federal Highway Administration), consider whether grant funds already expended are subject to clawback, and report on statutory and contract processes required for any discontinuation. The council asked that the forthcoming staff report include options, costs, timelines and whether a formal no‑build decision would be required at a subsequent public meeting.

Public input record: Multiple residents — including Alex Saldana, Jeremy Hendricks, Jay Clark, Lorenzo Maines and Rocio Martinez — spoke during items related to Arterial 1 and the separate public comment period, urging council to halt the project or to ensure transparent communication and documentation of next steps. Councilmembers noted they have met with residents in multiple forums and urged organizers to share accurate meeting notices and information.

Tally and procedural note: The motion to direct staff to investigate discontinuation passed on a voice vote with all members present saying "aye." Council did not adopt a formal no‑build finding; any final decision will require additional staff findings and a public action at a future noticed meeting.