New truck stop taking shape in Tucumcari

With the recent erection of a fuel canopy, the new truck stop under construction on South First Street and Interstate 40 in Tucumcari was starting to take shape last week.

The site at 3022 S. First St. is slated by this fall to be a One9 station, part of the Pilot and Flying J network.

Ian Terry, construction superintendent at the site, said in a telephone interview that work began on the undeveloped piece of land in early April.

He said it's on track to open in early September, barring any construction delays.

He said the One9 station in Tucumcari will have six fuel pumps for automobiles and eight diesel pumps, mostly for big trucks.

Terry said the One9 will include a full convenience store with a hot food bar, four showers and a laundry area.

He said each building takes up about 7,500 square feet and typically employs 12 to 16 people.

According data at the Quay County Assessor's Office, Pilot Travel Centers LLC, which has owned the tract since 2000, filed a permit in January for the $10 million development.

Terry said One9 stations essentially are a smaller version of Flying J and Pilot truck stops, without a restaurant.

Terry said the One9 will ease congestion at the nearby Flying J Travel Center on South Mountain Road.

He said since the Flying J underwent renovations a few years ago, business there has "exceeded expectations."

"It'll be a good thing for the general area," he said of the One9.

Pilot Flying J announced the creation of the One9 Fuel Network in 2019. The One9 name is derived from Channel 19, the primary CB radio channel used by truckers.

The site originally was under contract for a TravelCenters of America truck stop to be built by spring 2023.

But last fall, TA acquired Russell's Travel Center near Endee in eastern Quay County. Other TA Travel Centers operate in Santa Rosa and Amarillo.