Goodrich- Construction began last week on the Hegel Road Bridge Project, meant to bring the 80-year-old bridge up to current safety standards.
However, some local business owners aren’t thrilled with the toll the upgrade is taking on their businesses.
‘It has impacted us (negatively),? said Misty Maidens of Farmers Insurance Group, 10260 Hegel Road.
Maidens said she would like to see signs erected informing drivers businesses along Hegel Road are still open during construction, which is slated to wrap up by Nov. 15.
‘There’s no indication of how to even get to the local businesses for people who aren’t (familiar with) this area,? said Maidens. ‘It was just really poor planning.?
Maidens said her business is greatly impacted because she has many customers coming from out of town who are left boggled as to how to gain access to the business? location.
There are others who were pleased the bridge, built in 1927, is being brought back up to code, and more still who welcome the traffic light installed in conjunction with the project, to assist in detouring traffic, at the intersection of Erie Street and M-15.
Becky Baker, a representative from village engineer Wade Trim, said the bid for the project went to Walter Toebe Construction for $489,000.
‘It’s being funded by a State of Michigan grant and the state is covering 95 percent of the cost of construction. It’s critical bridge funding,? said Baker.