UDOT's construction through Richmond has little impact

by Hard News Cafe (USU)

RICHMOND -- After a month of heavy road work in Richmond, local businesses are expressing their appreciation for the Utah Department of Transportation. They feel they have been well informed about construction timelines and the hours of possible impact on their businesses.

The project will reconstruct and widen U.S. 91 from 400 North in Smithfield to the Idaho state line, to two lanes in each direction with a center turn median. The $14.6 million project awarded to Staker & Parson Companies of Smithfield is on schedule to be completed by fall 2005; the company has made great efforts to accommodate Richmond residents.

"We remain committed to providing regular updated construction info to the community and working with property owners to resolve concerns that may arise," said Andy Neff, Public Involvement Coordinator for UDOT.

Hair Den & Elite Nails has actually seen a bump up in business and is thankful for the work going on in the front yard.

"The construction workers have been really good to come and tell us when we are going to have one of our drive ways would be closed, and so far no one has been trapped or blocked in," said stylist Heather Halverson. "Actually we have been getting a lot more calls for business because people that have to stop, notice our sign and realize that we exist."

On the south side of town, Lower Food Inc. a company that prepares deli meats for grocery store chains such as Albertson's, Sysco and Associated Foods has not seen any effect at all.

"We don't do anything here in town we ship all over the country, we just have little shipments so it does not affect us," said office manager Lori Howell. "And we were will advised on their arrival, there have been no accidents or problems at all."

The only business claiming to have any negative impact by construction is Pepperidge Farm, who reports minimal change.

"In terms of business all over the world we feel they [construction workers] it will have zero impact on," said a source at Pepperidge Farm. "Concerning our thrift store, I think people are probably less likely to pull off and buy stuff when they are being herded through cones."

In fact over the last month or so the thrift store's sales have been down about 25 to 30 percent.

"I heard a couple people say they are going to choose a different route and some women said they couldn't get their husbands to come out," said employee Jan Purser.

Pepperidge Farm is worried construction might slow down business in the upcoming months because people will be less likely to take the scenic route through Logan and Richmond and more likely to stay on Interstate 15.

UDOT reminds motorists to visit http://www.CommuterLink.gov or call 511, Utah's free Travel Information Line, to find the latest construction and road condition updates, and recommends motorists reduce speeds and use caution when driving through work zones.
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