The Hungry Howie's parking lot on West Avenue is empty.
"We've only had one, two orders today and don't see many pickups because you can't hardly get into the parking lot," explained Assistant Manager, Teresa Richards.
West Avenue between North and Ganson Streets is under construction, forcing customers to go through two other lots to get to the store.
And, Richards told Fox 47 News, judging by todays, she's expecting the project to have a bad impact on business.
"It's gonna be even slower," she said. "I'm gonna have to put everybody on break because it's gonna run labor high with no business and it's just, it's gonna be pretty bad."
That slow down is expected to last through June. MDOT told Fox 47 News' crews are working to fix the pot-filled road, upgrade the storm sewers and water mains and replace sidewalks on the stretch.
"I think anybody who drives that on a regular basis knew the condition of the roadway. It was quite rough, so a full reconstruction is a longer term fix. So, it'll be a big improvement once we're done," said Kari Arends with MDOT Communications.
So, for now, MDOT is asking drivers to be patient.
"There are signalized lights at those certain intersections where we will have the detour routes, so adhere to those, adhere to the other drivers and just again, yeah, plan extra time when you're traveling," Arend said.
Joe Dunlap lives on the corner of West Avenue and North Street. He said if drivers handle the construction like they did today, something needs to change.
"It's crazy it's just it's nuts and it's gonna get worse," he said. "Accidents, people driving down the other side of the road coming this way, people running the light steadily, just all day."
So, he's hoping drivers slow down for the safety of everyone.
This is only the first phase of the West Avenue project. Crews are expected to finish up by June in time to start working on the section of West Avenue between Wildwood and Michigan Avenues.
MDOT told us all of the construction should be wrapped up by Labor Day.
