South Vernon merchants claim a major road construction project
is driving their business away. The city indicated access to 25th Avenue businesses would continue 
while utilities are installed and the road is widened, but merchants say that’s not happening. “People are phoning and cancelling because they can’t get through,” said Ken Pinchbeck, owner of Speed’s Auto Repair. The work between 41st and 43rd streets began Monday, and Pinchbeck says the impact was immediate. “They wouldn’t let out parts delivery people come through or three customers.”Craig Southward, at Southward Automotive, had a similar situation. “I had two jobs booked Monday and they cancelled because they’re not getting through,” he said. “They’re not letting anyone in. It’s a joke.” Central Tim-Br Mart is generally a busy place, but activity has slowed to a trickle this week. "They’re not flagging people through who want to get through,” said Graeme Lister, general manager. “Our walk-in traffic is just dead.” The city states the project will last a total of 10 days, but merchants believe it will take longer, and that will hurt their bottom line. “Our retail traffic will be significantly impacted,” said Lister. Southward expects his February revenue figures will reflect the construction work. “Let’s say you lose an average of $200 a day. And that’s a slow day. We could do more,” he said. Pinchbeck contacted the city Monday to express his concerns.“I was promised it would be different Tuesday but it actually got worse,” he said.
“The construction work has to be done but there has to be a better
way. What’s wrong with (doing the work) afternoons and evenings, or just being a little more courteous?” City officials were aware of access problems Monday, but not Tuesday. “My understanding was it was corrected immediately,” said Shirley Koenig, operations services manager, who toured the site Monday. “They (flagpersons) were letting traffic go through easily.” Koenig says the city takes the issue of access extremely seriously and the matter will be discussed with the contractor. “The instruction is that access is to be open to business.” The overall construction project will see 25th Avenue widened to five lanes from 34th to 41st streets. --------------------------------------
Feb 21 2007 EDITORIAL City must improve efforts
Spring-like weather has returned and so has road constructions projects in Vernon. And as in the past, the work is driving residents and businesses crazy. The 25th Avenue widening project had barely started Monday and businesses between 41st and 43rd streets were finding customers being turned away. Despite assurances by the city that access would continue, no one was getting through. And while merchants can be somewhat accommodating for a day, this component of the overall project will go on for about 10 days. A lot of money can be lost in that time period. After the disaster on Alexis Park Drive last year, you would have thought the City of Vernon would have learned its lesson. But apparently not. It’s not good enough to just tell the construction contractor that access to businesses must be maintained. City officials should be on site on a regular basis monitoring the situation and checking with the businesses to ensure any concerns are resolved. If problems continue, then perhaps action needs to be taken with the contractor. After all, these businesses depend on access for their customers. Without it, they lose money and if the losses are too deep, they may have to cut staff or have difficulties paying the taxes the city needs to provide services.
No one is questioning the need for the project because five lanes will improve traffic flow and safety on 25th Avenue. But such progress shouldn’t come at the expense of merchants. It’s time for the city to revisit its procedures for road construction works, especially when more are planned for the rest of the year. While the physical impact on merchants and motorists should be minimized, the ultimate goal should be improved communications.
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