Drivers aren’t the only ones feeling the inconvenience of White Lake Road being closed for construction between Clement Road and Dixie Highway.
Joe O’Hearn, owner of Mel’s Grill 2 in the Gateway Plaza off White Lake Road, said the construction hurts, but not as badly as he originally feared.
‘We’re definitely down, but not like I thought,? he said. ‘I thought it was going to be really, really bad.?
O’Hearn said construction on train tracks on White Lake, closing the road for a couple weeks, hurt more.
‘We’re all hoping they’ll get it over with so we can get back to normal,? he said.
Archie Muson, general manager for Smith’s Disposal, said they’re feeling feeling some pain from the road being blocked.
‘It’s hurting us because it’s taking our guys longer to get to the shop,? Muson said. ‘They have to go through the detour like everybody else, which can be very time consuming, so it’s costing us in fuel and definitely in wages.?
Clyde Bordhoshi, owner of Hometown Pizza, said business is running smoothly and he hasn’t been affected at all.
Brian Foster, co-owner of Stars and Stripes Gymnastics, said he is glad the work is getting done.
“We’re happy,” Foster said. “People are making their way around. No big deal ? nice new center turn lane, nice smooth road.”
White Lake Road is expected to be closed to thru traffic until July 19. Detour route for through traffic is Andersonville Road to Dixie Highway.
Drivers can reach homes and businesses in the closed section only from the south. Drivers cannot turn from Dixie Highway onto White Lake Road.
The Road Commission for Oakland County project began May 17, and includes replacing four inches of asphalt, extending left-turn lane north from Clement Road to Mustang Drive, replacing concrete curbs and gutters, and upgrading crosswalks and crosswalk signals to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Cost is about $1.1 million, of which $986,000 is from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. RCOC pays the rest.
Cadillac Asphalt LLC of Clarkston is doing the work. The project is expected to be completed by Sept. 1.