Roadwork, traffic cause concern for business owners in Gladewater

GLADEWATER, Texas (KLTV) - On any given day in East Texas, there is road construction or improvement going on somewhere.

On less-traveled roadways, it’s not such a problem, but on heavy traffic roads like Highway 80, it’s a major concern to businesses.

TxDOT began road improvement to Highway 80 in Gladewater days ago, starting on the east end.

“US 80, that roadway is well traveled, and we want to make sure it’s up to condition, drivable and safe to drive on,” said TxDOT public information officer Jeff Williford.

But with lanes cut down to one lane in each direction, and in some cases only one lane through, causing a stoppage of traffic in one direction, it’s impacting business movement.

“Seen businesses that have gone under because of months of road construction and tomorrow is our busiest day of the week. I don’t know if my entrance is going to be blocked or what,” said Sasquatch Trading Post owner Martin Pessink.

“Prime example, one of my truck drivers had to get out and we had to go through a residential neighborhood. Nobody told us anything about it. It really effects our money and our time,” said trucking company owner Robert Fagan.

Business owners along the stretch are concerned that the continued construction is going to cost them business revenue.

“Customers are complaining because they can’t get in to the nearby hair store,” Fagan says.

“Our regular customer base is going to want to find a way in here,” Pessink said.

For business owners and merchants along this stretch of Highway 80, they’re not only concerned about what’s being done, but how long it’s going to last.

“We’re going to do what we have to do to survive; we’d just like to know how long this is going to take,” said Fagan.

TxDOT said the road improvement work along Highway 80 in Gladewater is expected to be completed by November.

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