Some business owners in south Allentown claim a bridge revitalization project is hurting their bottom line.
Christopher Jenner, owner of Anastasi's Pizza on St. John Street, said he has noticed a drop in sales since PennDOT started rebuilding the nearby Eighth Street Bridge.
"There's definitely been profit loss. That's a given, just because we've lost all that traffic flow," Jenner said.
The bridge is closed to just the northbound lane, headed into the city; southbound drivers leaving the city are detoured via Lehigh and Union streets.
"The deliveries are taking longer because we now have to go a few extra blocks out of the way," Jenner said.
Jenner said about 90 percent of his sales come from deliveries.
Alfred Deco, owner of La Poblanita Deli, also recognized a shift in sales.
"It's getting slower, slower, and slower," said Deco, who fears it could put his business at risk of shutting down. "I don't know. I hope not, but you never know."
PennDOT anticipates the $18.5 million project will take another two years to complete. The expected completion date is December 2016.
The agency said it's had very few complaints about the construction and went on to say the work on the 100-year-old bridge is absolutely necessary.
Nearby Zandy's Steak Shop told 69 News it has not noticed a drop in business since the start of construction.
In fact, the owner said crews working on the project often stop in for lunch, boosting his afternoon profits.
from 69News:Home http://ift.tt/1GWKE1T
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