Businesses worry about Edmonton Trail detours

The latest construction project on Calgary's 16th Avenue N.E. has cut off access to Edmonton Trail for about six weeks,leading small business owners to worry about their survival.

Crews are tearing up Edmonton Trail between 15th and 16th Avenues to put in new utility and water lines, and remove 100-year-old trolley linesburied beneath the road.

Traffic is being detoured to Centre Street via 12th and 20th Avenues, but vehicles are allowed through to 15th for access to businesses, said the city.

Business owners in the area, who say they only found out about the road closure two weeks ago, are worried about losing customers.

"Access has essentially been blocked to my parking, and I am scared," said Suzanne Delaine, owner of What's In Store, a clothing boutique.

"If I don't see day-to-day sales happening, I may have to let them go," she said of her staff.

In September, a block north of 16th Avenue will also be closed for about six weeks for similar work.