FORT MYERS, Fla. — Business owners tell us that a recent construction project along Palm Beach Blvd. is causing chaos and loss of revenue.
The project underway with the Florida Department of Transportation began in mid-2021 and according to FDOT, it’s meant to add a multi-use path and improve drainage.
Owners of a convenience store say that since the front driveway was ripped up two weeks ago – they have lost half their customers. Imtiaz Ahmed said, “So I am scared about how long we can survive.”
Ahmend called our newsroom to tell us about his fears of what may happen to his business and showed us the numbers.
“People cannot get into they have to go all the way to the backside but lots of people they pass with the traffic because they see the construction on the front side and they think we are closed that’s why they are not stopping by,” said Ahmed.
He said he didn’t even know this was going to happen.
“They don’t give any card nothing I don’t see anything.”
FDOT’s website says the project will add a 10-foot wide shared use path. It will be an 8-foot wide sidewalk, with bus shelter pads, curbs, and gutters to also include drainage improvements.
Another business owner in the area, John Majka, explains there’s been a loss in revenue and he’s concerned about the safety aspect of the project and how semis have to navigate through.
“I think there’s a lot of impacts that are really unforeseen,” he said. “They have to sit in the center lane and then wait until there’s enough of an opening for a semi to make its turning movements out on the state road.”
Majka further explained that the construction started on May 9 and that workers showed up with no notice and tore the asphalt and just started digging immediately.
“So these barricades have been here since May 9 so my tenants stop sending trucks so they got behind because they didn’t want to be here when this was all torn up in front here,” said Majka.
Majka says that his type of business requires large trucks and now it’s nearly impossible for them to get in and out of this area.
As for the convenience store owner, “They have to sit in the center lane and then wait until there’s enough of an opening for a semi to make its turning movements out on the state road.”
John Majka also explained that when he first initially heard about the idea of the project 5 years ago he was hoping it wouldn’t happen. He said he tried to voice his concerns with the state multiple times.
According to FDOT, the estimated completion date is late 2022.
The city of Fort Myers and Lee County both said this is not their project it’s specifically FDOT.
We are waiting to hear a response to the owner’s concerns.