Roadwork in Troy at Standstill; Business Owners Concerned

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By Jessica Gertler

Story Created: Jun 15, 2012 at 5:59 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jun 15, 2012 at 9:50 PM CDT

From the CBS 8 Troy Newsroom-- A major road project in Troy is at a standstill after city officials say a phone company hasn't showed up to remove cables, and it's leaving business owners fed up.

If you've been down South Brundidge Street in Troy in the last couple months, you've noticed the detour signs, and city officials say those will be there for at least the next month.

Business owners along the street say since the signs have been up, sales have been down.

While some disregard the detour signs, many follow the alternate route leaving a section of South Brundidge Street desolate.

"They've been working on it for kind of a while now. I usually take the detour," says area resident Melanie Jones.

Beeline Owner Eshok Patel says since the roadwork started three months ago, his gas pumps are empty most of the day.

"They kill my business less than fifty percent," he says. "Less than half. That hurts me yeah."

Customers say they've also noticed a difference.

"There's not as many customers as there usually would be," says Jones. "There used to be a lot, because the Beeline is not that expensive, but I don't see as many cars. "

City officials say for the last three weeks, work has been at a standstill. They say they're waiting for AT&T to finish removing fiber cables from telephone poles on South Brundidge Street. Officials say once that happens, it will take around a week to finish the sidewalk construction, and then the paving will begin.

In the meantime, Patel is begging for the city to push the detour signs to the side, and praying the roadwork will soon be over.

"We are the little person. Not big person. They need to take care of us," Patel says.

Now CBS 8 did get in touch with AT&T. A spokesperson says they have figured out what the hold up is and will complete the work early next week.

Once the paving starts, you can expect major road closures. City officials say the paving will start at Highway 231, and they'll inch their way back to Elm Street. They say it should take a month to finish paving.
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