SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - It may be the biggest traffic project in Sheboygan this year. Work begins Monday on replacing the deck of the 14th Street Bridge, and that means no vehicles will be allowed on the bridge for over four months.
What impact will this have on businesses in the area? WHBL News reached out to find out.
Nick O’Maley, manager of the Cellcom and Glas Coffeehouse businesses south of the bridge, says construction will lower customer traffic from the north, but he expects some increase business from the south. "People from the south cannot get to places like Starbucks, so you know we’re expecting kind of an increase from the south."
Both stores have taken a proactive approach with signs highlighting ways to get around best to reach their stores, and Glas has handed out coupons to bring in traffic. "We’ll be doing text messaging every week to promote some items that we have on sale to our regular customers," says O'Maley.
Another business south of the bridge impacted by the closure is Bitter Neumann. Dan Radue says the business will be taking a similar approach to keep customers coming in. "We hope that people in Sheboygan still find their way down to Bitter Neumann, and we’ll be putting some additional promotions available for the people to make it worth their while."
As for businesses directly north of the bridge, Starbucks and Walgreens told WHBL News only that they will remain open through construction.
The bridge is expected to re-open to traffic by early November.