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Peters Mountain construction troubles businesses that want people to know 'we are open'


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Construction in Halifax is causing commotion for family-owned businesses that say the road closures are impacting their livelihoods.

Sales are going down for barbecue restaurant Fire & Ice Smokehouse & Creamery and archery shop Bakers Archery, both located on Peters Mountain Road, as construction has made it difficult for drivers to reach them—or to even tell that they’re open.

Chandra Morgan, who owns Fire & Ice Smokehouse & Creamery with her husband, wants people to know they are, in fact, open for business.

“We are open, but it’s been difficult because there’s still another sign that’s passed us that says road closed,” Morgan said.

It’s a two-year construction deal that’s responsible for it all.

But the work is expected to bring in clean water that’s been needed in the town for the last 50 years, according to Halifax Sewer Authority Chairman Jeff Enders.

“We do expect it to be wrapping up here by the end of August,” Enders said. “Traffic that goes through that corridor is just extreme, and we hope to have some resolution with that in the next 30 days.”

Locals said they’ve seen drivers getting fired up, and law enforcement is getting involved.

Jason Weaver, manager at Bakers Archery, works a few minutes down the road from Fire & Ice and said he sees all the tension brewing.

“The police down here arresting people trying to get here because they went through road closed signs. But it says local businesses are open, please come,” Weave said.

The construction is active from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., but Halifax Sewer Authority said drivers are permitted to go through as long as the road is open.

But the signs seem to be causing confusion.

“Again, it can be very irritating that you have to come in from one way or drive around,” Enders said. “We agree, we hear you and give us another 30 days, and we will see some dramatic improvements for the whole community and the commuters that just travel through that community.”

Businesses don’t like the tension from the construction workers and drivers; they want it all to stop.

“Just be done, get outta here,” Weaver said. “Let traffic come through the way it’s supposed to.”

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