Durham Businesses Bothered By Roxboro Street Construction

DOT construction crews have ripped up the road, tying up traffic, and according to nearby business owners, scaring away customers.

"It's a big mess. They took part of our parking lot [and] barricaded it off," said Mario Smith of Jiffy Lube.

Roxboro Street is closed from Foushee Street to I-85, where crews are widening the interstate and building new ramps. As soon as the construction started, business owners said customers started taking their business elsewhere.

The owners of a deli said business is down 40 percent in the first week of the road closing.

"It's dusty, streets are empty. It scares people to come to this area. That's why people are looking for another store to get lunch," said Gina Bekhet of American Hero.

The construction on Roxboro Street is scheduled to last six months.Most business owners believe it will take the DOT even longer.