Local restaurant says business is down by half because of National Avenue construction
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It seems everywhere you turn there’s construction happening in Milwaukee. On the south side, several parts of National Avenue are being redone, and local businesses say they are taking a hit.
The first thing customers notice is the noise. The second thing is figuring out how to get there. Along National Avenue, orange barrels line the street, and where traffic once flowed, it's now a maze of dirt, cones, and construction.
“People are angry, mad. Some of them are speeding, dragging. It’s bad," said Susie Soumpholphakdy, owner of Vientiane Noodle Shop. "We can’t get through. Look at – I mean, it’s really obvious, you know.”
Inside Vientiane Noodle Shop, it’s much quieter.
“Right now, it’s noon. Lunchtime. We used to be packed in here and there’s nobody here," said Soumpholphakdy.
For years, Soumpholphakdy counted on the steady stream of customers. Now, there’s just empty tables.
“As far as income, we are cut like more than half of what we used to make here, and I had to laid off a few of my workers," said Soumpholphakdy.
It's part of the National Avenue reconstruction project. The City of Milwaukee is working with the state’s Department of Transportation to redo 2.6 miles of National Avenue by 2028.
“Yes, the challenges are vast right now, but do you know what else is also vast and great? The community benefits when this work is complete," said Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa.
The work will be done in three phases, with construction currently focused on 39th St. to 27th St.
“We’re trying to get as much packed into one year as we can," said Jerrel Kruschke, commissioner of the Department of Public Works.
But every closed lane means one less customer.
“Well hurry up and get this done," said Soumpholphakdy.
While roads need to be rebuilt, Soumpholphakdy says a small business can’t wait years for traffic to return.
“I don’t know what was going through their minds, because this sure is not good for business," said Soumpholphakdy.