Local roadwork conducted by the City of Gainesville’s Public Works department is affecting nearby businesses.
The resurfacing project began in February and will last until September. It’s taking place at the intersection of Archer Road and Southwest 16th Avenue and at Southwest 13th Street and Southwest 16th Avenue.
The project will cost about $1.8 million and was funded by the UF Campus Development Agreement, Regional Transit System spokesman Chip Skinner wrote in an email.
Brijesh Patel, store manager of Sai Kwik Stop, located at 1201 SW 16th Ave., said he noticed a difference in business the day construction began and hopes the work will be finished as soon as possible.
“Because of long traffic, nobody wants to pull in (to the shop),” he said. “... They didn’t give us a notice or anything.”
Project Manager Reid Rivers said he didn’t expect any inconveniences to businesses in the area. Most of the roadwork is near vacant buildings.
“The work is being done to improve safety and the capacity of the roadway,” he said.
Rivers said the project will include the removal of current on-street parking, the addition of bike lanes, the replacement of two span-wire signals with mast-arm signals, roadway resurfacing and turn-lane enhancements from northbound Southwest 13th Street onto Southwest 16th Avenue.
“We are only working on the median between Steak ‘n Shake and CVS,” he said, “so it should be minimal.”
For some businesses, the construction may be helping.
“Business has picked up a little bit, believe it or not,” said Rasheed Khalif Barker, a server at Steak ‘n Shake at 1610 SW 13th St.
Rivers said although the work will require periodic daytime lane closures, no traffic impacts will be allowed during major holidays, UF home football games or times when heavy traffic is expected.
[A version of this story ran on page 8 on 4/22/2014 under the headline "Archer, 13th Street roadwork impacting local businesses"]
