Is Noland Bridge Construction Hurting Business?

With the Noland Road Bridge gone, it takes some maneuvering to get from one side of Interstate 70 to the other. So what does that mean for businesses?

The steady sound of progress is causing an eerie silence at Pride Cleaners, KMBC's Lara Moritz reported.

"It's been slow, definitely slowing down," said Brad Kilpatrick of Pride Cleaners.

Kilpatrick said more customers coming through the door would be a nice distraction from watching the construction.

"But they're working hard on it and hopefully they'll open soon," Kilpatrick said.

On the other side of Noland Road, the people who run a new barbecue restaurant said business is picking up.

"At first, we thought it would be harmful for business. We worried -- being a new business -- were we going to make it?" said Lisa Stewart of Bandana's.

Stewart said all the attention focused on the construction has seemed to create quite an appetite for customers.

"In the long run, with all the publicity and everything else, people who didn't know we were in town now know we're in town, and the bridge hasn't hurt us as well," Stewart said.

Eastbound lanes on I-70, including the ramp, will shut down Friday morning through Saturday afternoon. Westbound lanes of I-70, including the ramp, will shut down from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon. Drivers are urged to avoid the area if possible.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• KMBC
• Independence
• Noland
• Road
• Bridge
• construction
• businesses