By Burt Mummolo, FOX23.com News Staff
TULSA, Okla. — For many businesses near Pine and Mingo, there’s genuine fear that the date flashing on the “Road Closed Starting” sign might as well double as the date on a tombstone.
“We’re scared,” shared Timothy Kok of Batman’s Good Food and Convenience Store.
At Batman’s, the drop-off in customers was instantaneous.
“Since that first day that this happened, our sales have dropped at least 70%…That is crazy.”
That figure is echoed next door at Hero’s Subs and Burgers.
“At least down 75%,” stated Nancy Ghazal.
A similar story is reportedly occurring next door to them at Christy’s Good Food.
“We’ve lost about 80% of business,” said Nichole Danley.
Even the dispensary next door has seen a drop in traffic.
“Before this was going on, the parking lot stayed full,” said Brandon Turner.
The road construction project is being administered by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
ODOT told FOX23 in part, “ODOT is coordinating with the City of Tulsa and the contractor to review the current traffic control configuration along Pine Street between SH-11 and Mingo Road to see if adjustments can be made to address the concerns that have been raised.”
Kok suggested, “We would like to really have them consider rearranging or restructuring how traffic goes, at least keep the traffic flowing two ways.”
As it is now, there’s concern business will only go one way: down.
“This whole strip here, all these people will be out of a job,” said Steve Wooden, a regular at Christy’s.
On Wednesday, he and his friend basically had the whole restaurant to themselves at 1:16 p.m., which—as Danley will tell you—is not normal.
“Right now, we’d still have half a restaurant at least,” Danley said.
For Wooden to even make it to the restaurant, he had to plot a course worthy of Marco Polo.
“It’s absurd,” Wooden said. “I came down Pine my normal way, got to the bridge, had to turn around, go all the way back up there.”
Meanwhile, the ghost town effect at Hero’s has Ghazal wondering how she’ll make payroll.
“How I’m going to pay them? [There] is no money in. We’ve been here for 42 years.”
Keep in mind, all of this has happened just within the last week.
As for how long this project is expected to take?
“Six months,” Kok said. “We were told this is going to be six months. We’re only one week in and we’re suffering as is.”
It’s a plea for help from the corner of Pine and Mingo.
Turner shared, “Look out for local businesses. We would really appreciate it.”
With jobs on the line and nerves on edge, those impacted are desperate for a solution.
“We just sincerely hope that whoever is responsible for this project would do something,” said Kok. “Let’s come together, come up with a solution that works for everybody.”
ODOT’s full statement is below:
“The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is administering the contract for this City of Tulsa project, which is a federal requirement on any road project in the state that utilizes federal funds. As the contract administrator, ODOT is coordinating with the City of Tulsa and the contractor to review the current traffic control configuration along Pine Street between SH-11 and Mingo Road to see if adjustments can be made to address the concerns that have been raised.
Traffic control plans are developed with several factors in mind, including maintaining access to businesses and properties, providing a safe environment for motorists and pedestrians, and protecting the workers who are performing the construction. While maintaining access is an important consideration, changes to the traffic control configuration must also be evaluated to ensure they can be implemented safely and in accordance with the requirements of the project.
We appreciate the businesses along the corridor bringing their concerns forward and will continue working with the City and contractor to determine whether modifications to the current configuration are feasible while maintaining a safe work zone.”
The City of Tulsa’s full statement is below:
“We understand the impact of construction on nearby businesses, and we work to minimize those impacts wherever possible, including through business-access signage and other traffic control measures to maintain access. We also work directly with business owners throughout each project to address concerns as they arise, and our construction managers and inspectors will continue to be responsive and work with businesses in this area to address concerns and minimize disruptions where possible.”
