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Mar 17, 2009 5:00 pm US/Central
Arlington Construction Taking Toll On Businesses
Selena Hernandez
ARLINGTON (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
A never ending 'cone zone' of construction appears to be taking a toll on Arlington businesses that rely on interstate traffic.
Businesses along the frontage road of eastbound Interstate-30 tell CBS 11 News that they've taken a huge hit in sales, as a result of Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) construction.
The project, stretching nearly three miles, from Cooper Street to Ballpark Way, is littered with detours and unearthed roadways.
The construction is part of TxDOT's nearly $166 million I-30 expansion project. The term 'expansion' may be relative given the fact CBS 11 has learned that at least three restaurants have closed because of the construction.
The Mexican Inn, Shady Oak Barbecue and most recently The Wing House have all pulled stakes, reportedly because of sagging sales.
Both Mexican Inn and Shady Oak Barbecue are owned by Spring Creek Restaurants, Ltd. Officials with Spring Creek Restaurants told CBS 11 that they still own both Arlington properties and will either re-open the businesses after construction is complete, or lease the properties.
Crystal's Cleaners is in the middle of the construction and owner Chuong Huynh said they've lost business because of it. "Some customers say they have to look for another place, because they have to go round and round to get in here and it's hard to get back outside," he said.
TxDOT officials claim the construction is a 'temporary inconvenience' and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Knockouts hair stylist Crystal Sorensen said the 'end of the tunnel' may come too late. "I lost a lot of clients, because a lot of them were coming from Dallas to here and now they don't even want to deal with the traffic," she said.
According to spokesperson Val Lopez, frontage road construction will be complete and clear by April 6, which is also opening day for the Texas Rangers. "We'll be out of there within three weeks and have that available for folks to drive on," Lopez claimed.
According to spokesperson Val Lopez, will be complete and clear by April 6, which is also opening day for the Texas Rangers. "W
As it stands, TxDOT officials say the entire I-30 expansion project should be complete by late 2010 or early 2011.
Driver Blythe Waldran isn't optimistic. "It's a big pain," she said. "I hope it gets cleared up, but a year is a long time when you come here every day."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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