Construction 'closing' downtown Sudbury businesses

Business owners in the middle of a construction zone in downtown Sudbury say the work is hurting their bottom line.

They say the project has been going on for too long, and it's costing too much.

The owner of Stage and Street dance and theatrical supplies says she's never seen road work like this in almost 25 years at her location.

"This one has been the least courteous. The most disruptive," said Evelyn Davie.

"I've seen two windshields crack [when] the car in front went through the gravel and spit and hit the car behind."

Davie estimates her sales are down by $10,000 since the work began in the spring.

What's worse, she said she doesn't feel she's been given fair notice about construction deadlines or water shutdowns.

And she's not alone.

Jeff MacIntyre heads the group Downtown Sudbury.

"When you close a street right up to a door, you're closing that business," he told CBC News.

"We want to work with the city to come up with a bit better of a plan going forward for new construction to make sure that some of the notices and some of the communications with the businesses is a little bit stronger."

Numerous restaurants, stores and services along Elgin Street, St. Anne Road and Elm Street say they haven't been kept up to date on construction deadlines.

They also say they haven't been given enough notice to prepare for times when their water is turned off.

The manager of construction services for the city said they've done the best they could to accommodate businesses.

"The contract is on schedule," Lee Laframboise said.

"We're asking that there be patience. The end product is very near."

Not near enough for the disgruntled business owners.

The city says they'll have to wait another month for the project to be completed.

More photos here.