DOT projects worry business owners near Southport

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — It might be warm and dry today, but the recent cold, wet weather is taking its toll on some construction projects, especially in Southport. Some of those road projects have not only caused traffic issues, but also some issues with businesses in the middle of the construction. Books N' Stuff Owner Susan Warren has been watching the progression of the Long Beach Road Extension Project for months outside her shop. She says when visitors come this summer, it's going to be a confusing mess. "People are confused where they are going and how they are supposed to go," Warren said. Warren says her customers tell her how hard it is to get around already without the tourists. "Complaining about traffic, complaining about not being able to get where they need to be in time, because you never know where the lanes are going to be stopped," Warren said. According to the NCDOT, the purpose of the project is to alleviate some of the traffic at the Long Beach Road and NC-211 intersection, as well as along NC-211 between Dosher Cutoff and Long Beach Road. Crews are creating a new road to NC-87 from Long Beach Road. Southport City Manager Kerry McDuffie says he understands Warren's concerns. "We agree with them that it is a concern right now, the traffic congestion," McDuffie said. "It's one of things that come with growth. We appreciate being able to have growth and be able to have opportunity to do construction projects like this." McDuffie says the chance to ease traffic for the long term is worth the short term trouble, especially come summer time. "I don't think it's going to be any worse than last summer," McDuffie said. But for Warren, even when the construction is over, she's still left with concerns. "Those of us in this shopping center have no idea how it's going to work, from that new road there's no access to come back over here," Warren said. "I don't understand that." DOT officials say the Long Beach Extension Project is expected to be completed at the end of 2015 or early 2016. Officials say the widening of NC-211, however, will be ongoing until 2021.