Widening on Old 41 continues as drivers navigate the streets in and out of business along the corridor. The construction and traffic is expected to ease in the coming months as portions of the widening are completed. Local business owners hope the construction is completed before season starts.
A driver in Bonita Springs drives past a bulldozer as it tears up Old 41 to make way for a larger northbound lane as part of a widening project expected to cost just over $13 million.
Widening on Old 41 continues as drivers navigate the streets in and out of business along the corridor. The construction and traffic is expected to ease in the coming months as portions of the widening are completed.
Maneuvering around traffic cones, temporary street lights and construction vehicles on Old 41 hasn't been easy for drivers or local businesses.
The road, which is being widened from two to four lanes, is changing daily and businesses along the corridor are feeling it.
"Everyday we have a quick huddle with our drivers as to what that day's (road) pattern is," said Richard Barber, the postmaster at the post office on Old 41. "It's affecting us. People see the congestion and they think twice about doing postal business."
Rolf Paul, of Rapid Refill Ink, has customers who aren't sure if visiting his shop is worth navigating Old 41.
"We get some calls a week because the people know there is construction and they ask if it's possible to come here," said Paul, who has customers avoiding Old 41 construction all together and using U.S. 41 instead.
Barber has experienced a similar predicament and advises customers to use other postal locations on Bonita Beach Road or along U.S. 41.
"Even for the summer season, there has still been a reduction (of customers) at the post office but I want people not to put off their business," Barber said.
And putting off their business is what customers of the House of Treasures are doing.
"We've had customers tell us that its just been tough for them to get over here onto the road because it's sometimes down to one lane," said Jamie Shedden, about the widening that started a few months ago.
A decline in profits makes for bad business but city officials assure that changes are coming and soon.
"There is going to be a lot of stuff that will go away pretty quick here soon," said Jim Melton, the senior project manager for the city of Bonita Springs. "Businesses will see some relief because the utility work is almost completed."
The utility work, said Melton, is what causes one-way traffic on the road during parts of the day.
"The progress has been very good and it appears that we are on schedule to ahead of schedule," said Melton, who credits dry weather. "You will start seeing some changes in the north-bound lane in the next couple of weeks."
Crews are working especially hard, said Melton, on the construction in front of the Bonita Springs Charter school.
"It shouldn't be interfering much and the contractor has been agreeable to help that situation," said Melton about concerns that parents waiting to pick up their children will cause more traffic when school starts in August. "The contractor is working to make that situation better."
The city expects the road to be complete by September 2008.
"I'm certain that when it's all done, it will be a big asset for the restaurant," said Tina Makriyianis, the owner of Old 41 Restaurant.
"Everyday is a new challenge but ... Old 41 is well worth it," Barber said.
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