SHELBYVILLE, Ind. -- The first phase of a $10.3 million project spanning more than 12 miles on State Road 9 in Shelbyville is underway.
"You see a lot of orange cones, people aren’t really sure where to go, what used to be a turn lane is now a straight lane,” said Christa Weaver, the co-owner of Lemon Lane Boutique and owner of Elegant L Formal Wear, both on Harrison Street (SR 9 in Shelbyville).
Right now, both directions of State Road 9 are restricted to one lane and shifted to the northbound lanes between Broadway Street and Colescott Street, with no left turns allowed.
At the same time, only southbound traffic is allowed from Colescott Street to Hasecuster Lane. Northbound traffic must access State Road 9 via State Road 44 and local access roads.
Another major aspect of this project is restricted parking.
“No street side parking on the east side of Harrison Street. There is still street parking on the west side, so we have a little bit of a challenge in the parking,” said Weaver.
She says there are parking options on Jackson Street, on Broadway, and a city parking lot just one block away.
Weaver said she has noticed a small drop in business at her prom shop, Elegant L Formal Wear.
Bill Moore, owner of Linne's Bakery, says he also has noticed a small decline in customers.
Despite the small dip in clientele, both say they aren’t too stressed.
“Not worried about it at all, as a business owner, we're used to facing new challenges, constantly. Luckily this one is just a temporary one, anyway,” said Weaver.
"Our customer base is very loyal, so they come in, in spite of this,” said Moore.
A spokesperson for the Indiana Department of Transportation says the work is being done over the 12-mile span in sections to balance safety, mobility, and efficiency.
This phase of the construction should wrap up by August.
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