With construction on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge expected to last for five years, some businesses off the exits of the construction zone are concerned about possible traffic and potential business loss.
The bridge connects Groton and New London. The southbound side is a way for people in towns like Groton, Mystic and Stonington to drive through. And there’s usually a big crowd during the summer season.
"I am a little nervous because it's a main artery that comes down into downtown in New London,” said Jackie Jaskiewicz, manager at Berry's Ice Cream and Candy Bar in New London. The shop is seasonal.
“As a small business we really rely on that traffic flow,” Jaskiewicz said.
This week drivers started seeing a barrier put up on the bridge's southbound side, shifting the four lanes of traffic to the right.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation said the approximately $30 million southbound project includes structural steel repairs, replacing expansion joints and re-paving. It should wrap up in November 2018.
Project engineer Keith Shoppe said that after Labor Day crews will reduce the southbound side to three lanes of traffic. It will stay that way until Memorial Day 2018, when the summer crowds are expected back in town. After Labor Day 2018, the south side of the bridge will be reduced to three lanes once again.
But some downtown New London businesses, like Flavours of Life, The Fair Trade Store, aren't as concerned about the bridge work.
“Summer traffic is people who are taking the ferries and people who are traveling by train,” said owner Ellen Cummings.
Cummings also said she offers a niche product. So people will travel for fair trade merchandise.
Construction will be more intense on the northbound side. A spokesperson for CTDOT said crews will replace the entire bridge deck and strengthen and upgrade steel. But the project, with a preliminary estimated price tag of $250 million, won't start until at least spring 2018.
That doesn’t mean businesses on the Groton side aren't worried.
“If they working in New London and they wanted to come over here for their lunch break, I don't think they'll be able to do so,” said Lisa Villano, general manager of Olio Restaurant and Bar.
Olio Restaurant and Bar is right off an exit on the Groton side of the Gold Star Bridge. Not only does Villano fear less customers, but for the time it could take her employees to get to work.
“(The bridge) needs to be fixed. I rather it not fall apart,” Villano added.
