An ongoing construction project in Brownsville is causing problems for nearby businesses, owners say.

Crews with the Texas Department of Transportation began upgrading the storm sewer system on International Boulevard between the expressway and Highway 48 in 2023.

As part of the project, the pavement is being converted to concrete, and other safety enhancements are being done.

Drivers have been avoiding this stretch of road due to the construction.

“It's kinda hard because I have to come through the back streets because I know it gets a lot of traffic here in this street,” Los Fresnos resident Luis Alvarez said.

A sign hangs in the window of an empty restaurant in the area that says "temporarily closed because of construction."

Businesses said the construction is affecting them. 

“There's no entrance, there's only one over here and it's messed up so you can mess up your car,” Angel Romero — a waiter at Karolina’s Restaurant — said.

Romero said his customers tell him about the challenges they face to eat there.

“When they call in they [ask] ‘is the street good or anything?’" Romero said. “It's still been like this for a while so there's nothing we can say about it."

Since the construction started, Karolina's Restaurant has experienced a 50% drop in sales that Romero said is due to the ongoing project. 

As the owner of the nearby Rios Flowers & Gifts, Gloria Cavazos Guajardo said she has a similar story. She said customers tell her it's a problem finding parking, and most of her orders are now taken over the phone because customers are no longer stopping by in an effort to avoid the traffic.

“This is my most difficult year since I’ve owned this store,” Guajardo said.

If sales don't improve soon, Guajardo said she might have to close down. 

“We have to find a way to cover our expenses month after month,” Guajardo said. “If we can't find a way, we'll also be on the list of businesses closing down."

TXDoT is asking drivers and business owners for patience during the project, which is expected to be completed in April 2026.

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