Pocono News Section

Market Street Bridge Milestone

Market Street Bridge Milestone - Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at 5:00PM EST

Reported by: Lorena Beniquez
Tuesday, Oct 9, 2007 @05:00pm EST

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY - After three years of construction, Williamsport's Market Street Bridge is nearly done. For the first time, the northbound side of the span opened to traffic. Local business owners in South Williamsport are excited. They say their businesses have suffered because of construction. "Everybody is so sick of it. Three years is a long time," said Charles Lamey with Kevin’s Place.

Lamey says the business has lost up to fifty percent of its revenue since construction started. In addition, the restaurant’s cash reserve has been exhausted because of the lack of business. Lamey adds, "Our customers in Williamsport say, 'We can't come over and get back on our lunch hour so we just don't come over.' They say, 'We look at the bridge and if the bridge is jammed up, we eat in Williamsport."

Across the street at Kressly's Paint and Wallpaper, owner Fred Harbaugh says his business has seen a decline as well. "I've had to secure commercial business to compensate for the loss of traffic walking through the door," said Harbaugh.

While the bulk of construction is done, there is still more work to be completed. PENNDOT warns motorists to keep a look out for changing traffic patterns.

Harbaugh added, "When the bridge opens up , that traffic will increase walking through the door and will help compensate us for what we've had to put up with the last few years."