One of the main arteries onto the Halifax Peninsula will be under construction until late November, the city announced on Monday.
The decision to continue construction on St. Margaret’s Bay Road, prolonging road closures and traffic delays, isn’t sitting well with local business owners; especially those who are stationed along the road.
READ MORE: Halifax extends St. Margaret’s Bay Rd. construction until late November
Nick Giannopoulos has owned and operated Euro Pizza for the past 18 years. But the owner of the St. Margaret’s Bay Road restaurant says this summer has been a nightmare for business because of the construction.
“The good months are July, August, September. So basically from July on, we couldn’t do nothing because of the construction so you’re losing 50 to 60 per cent of your business,” he told Global News.
Giannopoulos temporarily closed his doors during the original construction period — slated to be from July until mid-October — and has only recently re-opened.
He’s not sure what to do with the new construction timeline.
“Is the snow coming in and they’re still working? We don’t know what’s going on,” he said.
Nick Ritcey, a spokesperson with the Halifax Regional Municipality says that multiple factors have contributed to the delay. They include, but aren’t limited to:
- Bedrock encountered under the street for underground infrastructure installation
- The unanticipated removal of very old, unmarked water/sewer infrastructure
- Additional sewer and water lateral installations
- Additional storm sewer connection installations
WATCH: Here’s how Halifax is planning to deal with this summer’s waterfront construction
Ritcey says that any further delays could cost the contractor.
“Anything that is deemed the responsibility of the contractor is subject to a fine of $2,500 per day for liquidated damages, as well as $2,500 a day road closure fee,” said Ritcey.
But for Giannopoulos and other businesses like his, that isn’t helping their situation.
— With files from Alexa MacLean