Construction on Route 147 has been underway since the spring and some business owners in Middlesex County are worried that it will be a traffic nightmare to get around during future events, including the Durham Fair.
The construction on Route 147 is causing delays and business owners are joining together to voice their concerns that the project might hurt their businesses.
“Particularly around commuter time, it gets pretty congested” Steve Ciskowski, of Lyman Orchards, said.
The Durham Fair draws thousands of people every year and fair president, Daniel Miramant, has been worried that the road project will turn off visitors.
“It’s happening primetime during our fair and that’s one of the major arteries that our traffic flow comes through,” he said.
There is relief on the way, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Officials told business leaders during the Chamber of Commerce meeting this morning that there is a plan to ease traffic during the event.
“During the weekend of the Durham Fair, we will close (Route) 147 at Cherry Hill going toward Middlefield and detour them back to 147,” Jim Ruitto, of the DOT, said.
Leaders from businesses, including Lyman Orchards, are concerned about what will happen during the rest of the year.
“September and October are a busy time of the year for us, so we’re very interested in how they’re going to handle the traffic,” Ciskowski said.
The project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2015.
Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com