At least two businesses say they have felt a pinch since construction has begun on the new US 701 and NC 87 Bypass and a bridge on US 701 near the NC 87 Bypass was washed out due to flooding during Hurricane Matthew.
Ron Taylor, owner of Taylor Manufacturing said, “The road construction is not helping any; but the bridge being out has devastated our business.”
He added that he understands the Hurricane Matthew left a lot of devastation behind including severely damaged roadways and bridges.
“Nobody can tell you the schedule for the repair of the different projects,” said Taylor.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Travel Management Information System, the bridge is estimated to re-open on November 30. To see a list of roads that remain closed and estimated repair dates, click here.
He added that he thinks the new intersection for US 701 and the NC Bypass will be deadly for motorists.
“The traffic on US 701 South, in order to go towards Lumberton, Fayetteville or Dublin, traffic will have to turn left without a stop light in front of oncoming traffic that will be coming from Clarkton and Myrtle Beach,” said Taylor.
Taylor said that is by far the most traveled road in Bladen County.
“When you are coming from Dublin or Lumberton you have to bear off NC 87 to the right at the credit union and stop at US 701 and turn left in front of oncoming traffic again to go into Elizabethtown. They have tried to do everything they could to make it as cumbersome and as ‘unuser’ friendly an intersection as they could, in my opinion,” said Taylor.
He added that he feels the intersection will be dangerous once it is one to traffic. Taylor also siad he felt it would impact the potential for future development near the intersection as the design of the intersection could impact access to nearby properties.
Taylor said that when the US 701 bridge over Brown’s Creek washed out, it “killed the local traffic to D’Vine Foods, Cindy’s and Taylor Manufacturing.
Sherrill Elks said the bridge closure has impacted traffic to her store Take a 2nd Look Thrift Store which is located at 1108 S. Poplar Street. She said her sales have dropped 50 percent since the road has been closed.
She attributed the drop in sales to the fact that traffic has been rerouted while the bridge is being repaired. Elks noted that some of her sales come from travelers to stop at the store while traveling on the way to other locations.
“If they know I’m here, they’re coming,” said Elks. “I’m not getting the passer by traffic.”
One business said the bridge closure has had little impact on his traffic. William Thompson of Thompson’s Small Engine Repair said the bridge closer has done little to slow his traffic.
“During the storm, we’ve had more business than we’ve ever had,” said Thompson.
He added that people know where he is located and the closure of the bridge has not inconvenienced his customers.
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