Road construction in Saskatoon is causing traffic headaches for more than just drivers. Some business owners say delays, detours and poor communication is hurting their bottom line.
Spencer Early, owner of Early's Farm and Garden Centre, says it has lost nearly $1 million in sales since road work began on Lorne Avenue, the only street that runs by the store.
“People really thought we were closed. They thought the store was closed and that's it. We had hundreds of calls saying ‘I can't find you. Are you closed?’”
The store never closed and most of Lorne Avenue has stayed open. Early says the city's signage and detours have been confusing. He says barricades go up for days, yet no work is done.
An engineer for ten years himself, Early says the work is not being done efficiently. “In your business or my business if you missed five or six deadlines I’m sure that would be unacceptable. So I think it's unacceptable."
Jill Cope with the City of Saskatoon, says the high water table and rain are partly to blame. “It has been delayed and we've missed deadlines due to exceptional circumstances."
But there have been similar complaints after other road closures. 11th Street has been closed several times, making it tough for a seasonal operation like Hi-Way Greenhouse.
“We lost in the past two or three years well over $100,000. And we talked to the city about it and they said sorry but sorry doesn't put money in my bank,” says owner George Wilson.
But the city is hoping that the headaches for business owners will be worth it in the end.
“Yes, they've probably seen a decrease in traffic, but we do like to say on the upswing once that road is open hopefully they'll see a greater increase in traffic,” says Cope.
After nearly two years, Lorne Avenue is expected to open this weekend. Early says he's heard that before. And will believe it when he sees it.
