Road Work Continues To Hamper Businesses – Chamber and State Representatives Take Action

Just as we are about to head into the busy tourism season – there seem to be a huge roadblock for some business owners, with the pending closure of Water Street between 13th Street and Taylor Street to upgrade the water main.  This project was not originally scheduled to begin until MDOT had the I-94 eastbound and westbound ramps to Water Street open.  Now, with the threat of funding disappearing, if the project isn’t completed this construction season, access to the many businesses along this corridor will be cut off from both ends of Water Street.  Vickie Ledsworth, President of the Blue Water Chamber of Commerce, several members of the Public Affairs Committee and some 30 business owners, attended a meeting yesterday with MDOT.  The people who operate businesses along that corridor say they have already suffered significantly due to the I-94 re-construction, losing on average of 45% of their business resulting in job losses.  Adding another impediment to their businesses for a period of the six months – from April 20 to November 1, especially during the busy season is not an option for them.  MDOT will be working over the next several days with the other government agencies involved in funding the project to determine 1) if the old I-94 westbound ramp to Water Street can be re-opened; 2) if the agencies involved in funding the Water Street water main project will approve a delay and at what cost; and 3) if construction crews could be added to work the I-94 westbound reconstruction during the evenings to expedite its completion.   Representative Paul Muxlow told WGRT he is very concerned about the situation and he plans to visit the site today to get a clear idea of what the layout looks like, and then he plans to make some phone calls.  He will be getting back to WGRT in the next day or so with his progress. Ledsworth says “The Chamber will continue to advocate on behalf of the many businesses in this corridor until a satisfactory solution is identified.”