TROY, Mich. (WXYZ) — Beginning Monday, drivers in Oakland County are in for a headache as John R. will close in both directions from South Blvd. to Long Lake.
Both directions will remain closed until May 19, and after that, northbound John R. will be back open. Southbound traffic will remain closed from South Blvd. to Long Lake until the fall.
“I’m not looking forward to it being one way,” said Bonnie Backing, who lives in a subdivision off of John R.
Bonnie is a stay at home mother of three children. She says so far, the current construction has not impacted her day getting to play days and running errands. That being said, she fears what these upcoming closures will do with her time with her husband.
“His commute, especially during construction season, goes up by about 15, 20 minutes every day so that is less time that he has with us,” said Backing.
The closures also have business owners concerned, including the owner of Sunshine Cleaner Luay Kajy. He says sales have already been cut in half with the current construction already taking place.
“Because of the construction I start to offer discounts, I start to offer free pick up and delivery, cause a lot of people are trying to avoid this area,” said Kajy.
The closures are a part of a $16.2 million dollar construction project to widen John R to three lanes, creating a center lane. The goal is to help 14,000 drivers who use John R on a daily basis get through traffic.
“It was bad, it was bad, so it’s a long time waiting, so I’m happy its happening,” said Kajy.
The project also means new pavement, curbs and sidewalks along John R.
“It will be safer, I think,” said Backing.
