Businesses along Rochester Road near the Royal Oak and Clawson border say a construction project that has stretched beyond its expected schedule is hurting sales and making it harder for customers to reach them. With the work significantly delayed, the city says some construction could have to wait until spring.
Royal Oak began the mile-long project between 13 Mile and 14 Mile roads in mid-April. The improvements include resurfacing, a new water main and pedestrian crossing islands. Crews are also changing the four-lane roadway to a three-lane configuration that includes a center turn lane. Completion had been scheduled for the second week of November.
Traffic can still travel through the construction zone in one direction, but shop owners say the disruption has kept customers away. Sinclair Antiques owner Thom Lapinski said shoppers have described difficulty entering the parking lot. His store, which has been on Rochester Road for more than a decade, has spent months dealing with nearby equipment, closed lanes and construction noise.
Lapinski said he expected the project to affect his business, but the scale of the impact has surprised him. Some customers have chosen to avoid the area entirely, he said. Although people continue to visit the store, the prolonged disruption has left him worried about how much business it is losing.
At Julian Brothers Bakery, owner Richard Julian said the construction has added to pressures from the broader economy. He reported that business fell by about 40% during the busiest period of construction activity. Over the past couple of months, he said, there were times when he questioned whether the shop could stay afloat. He described the effect on business as unlike anything he had previously experienced there.
In a statement, Royal Oak interim city engineer Samantha Grant said the city shared the disappointment over the unfinished road and that the contractor was significantly behind schedule. Crews will continue working until cold temperatures interfere with the quality of concrete and asphalt installation. Grant said the city hoped to see meaningful progress over the next few weeks.
The city plans to reopen Rochester Road to traffic in both directions for the winter regardless of whether all improvements are finished. If work remains when weather conditions force construction to stop, the contractor will return in the spring to complete it.
Both owners expressed appreciation for customers who have continued visiting during construction. Julian said that support has been essential to keeping his business going. Lapinski also urged residents to remember the shops still operating along the corridor: "We're here. Don't forget us. We won't forget you."
