Katy Petrisin felt a wave of surprise on Saturday morning, even though she knew changes were on the way.
“We couldn’t even turn into the parking lot from my usual route. It felt really different,” she explained.
Petrisin runs Ware Ware Studio at the Shops at Vintage Village. This area is now surrounded by construction as the NCDOT prepares to build a new bridge on Durant Road. This bridge will cross over the S-Line, a rail line that will connect Raleigh to Richmond.
The project is expected to last nearly two years, and business owners like Petrisin are feeling the pressure. The noise, dust, and traffic disruptions are causing concern.
“We’re all trying to figure out how to make it work on our own,” she said.
Shops are getting creative with their advertising to cope with the situation. For example, the owners of Dog = Love, a pet supply store, have repurposed old campaign signs by repainting them.
Others, like Neuse General Store, are increasing their presence on social media. “We’re keeping our customers informed about the changes and how they can navigate the parking situation,” said Sherry Adams, a retail assistant at the store.
Adams also mentioned that the construction company plans to install a flashing sign to let people know that businesses remain open. Surprisingly, the early stages of the construction, which involved clearing trees and brush, actually drew more customers.
“We’ve taken a positive approach to it,” she said.
Construction on the new bridge began Saturday morning as crews worked on the roads by removing old paint and lines.
NCDOT spokesperson Kim Deaner explained that the work will be done in phases to minimize traffic interruptions. This first phase will involve slightly narrowing the lanes on Durant Road but should be quick.
The bridge construction will be more intensive, but Deaner believes it will ultimately benefit the area. “This project will enhance the landscape, and the S-Line will help ease congestion around Durant Road and Capitol Boulevard,” she said.
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