Construction Project Hampers Bristol Businesses

Pine Street in Bristol was once filled with thriving businesses and eager customers. Now, it is filled with orange cones and construction equipment.

About six months ago, construction began on a Route 72 relocation project along Pine Street. The majority of the construction takes place during the day, and local business owners are feeling the effects. The close-knit commercial neighborhood has banded together to try and do something about their shrinking business.

The owners have contacted the city about the disruptions to their business, but with little results. They did get the city to put up blue signs labeled "Business Access", but most who drive by do not know what the signs mean. There is no curb to differentiate between the driveway and the rest of the construction area.

The business owners were given a notice when the construction started. It read in part: "As work progresses on Pine Street we would like to take this opportunity to ask you to contact us with any questions, concerns or problems you have. We are trying to complete this work with the least inconvenience possible but inevitably there will be times when our best efforts don’t meet your expectations…the DOT is committed to maintaining access to your property and businesses as well as minimizing the impact of this work on your daily lives."

However, certain days there is virtually no access to the shops, and owners say the few customers that still brave the construction cannot even get into the entrances. Auto Star, a car dealership on Pine Street, has received many complaints from customers. Some customers have even asked employees to meet them somewhere other than the business.

"To date we haven’t got any relief," said Marsha Penna, Service Coordinator for Auto Star. "We’ve lost a lot of sales, we have to work twice as hard to get the sales by washing the vehicles because of all the dust."

Penna was told if they were "lucky," sidewalk activity would begin by October, and the sidewalk sets the tone for the paving of the road. The project will most likely continue into next year.

Krystyna Woznica, owner of Mike’s Pizza next door, is also feeling the effects of the construction. Her pizzeria used to be packed at lunchtime, but now is usually empty. She says people do not have time to make a special effort to maneuver through the construction.

"Right now in order to get to my business, it’s work. My business depends on being convenient. When somebody has half an hour for lunch, they need ten minutes to get food, eat and go out. This is impossible to accomplish at this moment," Woznica said.

Customers have told her that they love her, but will come back after the construction is over. Access is too difficult, the road changes everyday, and people have started to avoid the area altogether. But Woznica says she doesn’t know if she’ll be able to stay open until the construction has been completed.

Luis Janeiro, owner of New Look Hair Studio, expected a customer for a 1 p.m. appointment Tuesday, instead he got a voicemail.

"I’m just calling to say that I won’t be in until this road is fixed in front of your house, so I’ll call you later. Okay, thank you," the message said.

Many aggravated customers have told Janeiro that they don’t want to come back until the construction is finished. Recently, he had a client drive an hour to come for a hair appointment, but the water was shut off and he had to refer her to another salon.

He said there have been a couple days when he has not had water, and has even been told to reschedule his appointments for the day. As well as water problems, the house shakes constantly. He and his wife live upstairs, and she told him this afternoon things were falling off shelves.

Janeiro has also had to dip into his own pocket to get by. "We don’t have any savings," he said. His finances are pretty much gone, and says he has to live week by week.

The Department of Transportation has not commented on the ongoing problems for the Pine Street businesses.

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