By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels
Published in the Las Cruces Bulletin 7/19/19
As the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) moves into the final phase of Valley Drive road reconstruction, the road work has landed right outside the front of doors of Frontier Roofing Supply. While the traffic is light early in the morning, at different hours of the day, Frontier has problems getting their big trucks out onto Valley to deliver materials to customers. “Some people obey the ‘Stop Here’ signs and some won’t,” said Omar Perea, store manager of Frontier Roofing Supply. “Sometimes we have to walk out into the street to wave to drivers to let our truck out onto Valley Drive because they’ve blocked the street.” And, while Frontier has access to Florida Drive and lots of parking, it’s a business that is known for speed of delivery, something they hope potential customers on Valley Drive will understand.
“We know the Valley Drive signs can be confusing, especially when they change,” says Jose Sotelo, delivery driver, “but give us a call on what you need and we’ll have it loaded in 20 minutes and to your job site within the hour.” From shingles to roll roofing to roof tile and insulation, and aluminum and elastomeric coating, Frontier Roofing Supply also has 6 months no interest credit plans available.
In the morning, with the heat rising from the pavement and work shirts becoming damp with perspiration, contractors who have braved the traffic on Valley walk up sporadically to Jose and Omar to shake hands and greet them before heading into the cool of their showroom to coordinate their orders.
“If a phone call is easier, please let us know how we can make it work so you can get what you need,” said Perea. Frontier Roofing Supply’s number is (575) 647-0055.
For a Valley Drive road reconstruction update, everyone is invited to attend a monthly public involvement meeting the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Meetings are hosted by NMDOT, along with contractor AUI Inc., and are held 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library (200 E. Picacho Avenue) upstairs in the Roadrunner Room.
More information at www.valleydrive.net. For immediate concerns, please contact Ryan Tafoya, project manager, at (575) 418-7891. The NMDOT Valley Drive road reconstruction project is scheduled for completion in early 2020; in the meantime, the City of Las Cruces encourages residents to continue supporting local businesses and stores on Valley Drive.
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PHOTO 1: Delivery driver Jose Sotelo and manager Omar Perea are up before the heat of the day to get the loads and deliveries ready for the day. Speed of delivery is one of the trademarks of Frontier Roofing Supply.