CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — You could say that's the price of progress.
Small business owners along the town's downtown area, where road construction is underway, say the construction is hurting their livelihoods.
We're talking about the construction going on at Everhart Road and Alameda Street.
Minerva Rivera runs Twisted Rose, an antique shop along Everhart.
The business owner said he had a front row seat to the construction work over the past few months, but access was difficult for customers.
“There were some customers who didn't know how to get in or how to get out. Sometimes you can't get in or out from the left side because of traffic, so that's also difficult,” Rivera said.
Construction accelerated before the holidays and is primarily focused on underground utility work, including water, wastewater and stormwater.
Business owners say the city has installed directional signs at the construction barrels, but it's not easy for drivers to know exactly where to enter the parking lot.
Business owners argue that customers are simply missing out on the confusion and headaches because they don't want to deal with it.
“It's definitely hurt my business and everyone's business here,” Rivera said.
Colton Bartel, a graduate gemologist at Susan's Custom Jewelers, located across the street from Alameda's Town and Country Shopping Center, has listened to all his customers have to say.
“It's unfortunate that it started right before Christmas,” Bartel said. “It's been tough and we've had people calling us to see if we're open because it's been tough.”
Mr Bartel explained the access issues at the intersection.
“It's really difficult to be the main artery into our area, traffic in Alameda has been reduced to two lanes, and there's construction work going on across the street for New Stripes, which is congesting the roads with trucks coming through. “I'm just letting you do it,” he said.
Bartel said that while his family business may not have been as affected as others, he is still disappointed.
“The biggest problem is that there is a set direction in which to turn, and everyone wants to go back towards SPID, but they can't seem to do that, so it creates traffic jams,” he said.
As construction continues, they want the community to know they are here and open for business.
“We're ready to get confirmation on how much we have to address this issue on the front of the store,” Rivera said.
The Everhart Road project will begin in October 2023, with Phase 1 (two southbound lanes from Alameda Street to Staples Street) currently underway, but depending on weather and unknown site conditions, the project could be completed in 2024. It is scheduled to continue until May.
Phase 2 (from Staples Street to the northbound lanes of Alameda Street) is expected to begin in December 2024 and take approximately four to five months to complete, depending on weather and site conditions.
The city said it is important to note that these dates are tentative as project schedules can change frequently.
The city told 3NEWS some businesses have expressed concerns about having limited access to their operations. The city said it is responding by installing additional traffic signs and maintaining driveway entrances under current construction conditions.
With some businesses reporting that construction is impacting their finances, the city tells 3NEWS it is working to accommodate all residents and businesses throughout the project and appreciates their patience and understanding. Told.
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