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Community Corner

Road Closures Cause Problems for Local Businesses

Road closures affecting business in Summit and New Providence resulted in difficulties and financial losses for local businesses like Hoboken Farms.

Customers who may have attempted to visit local businesses on or about Springfield Avenue in Summit and New Providence this week suffered a rude awakening as road construction projects caused a full road closure of Passaic Street from Springfield Avenue to the Morris County Line in New Providence. This construction cost businesses like Hoboken Farms in Summit tremendous losses and major disruptions to daily business.

Although no statement or notice was given to local businesses, the Union County website for traffic did announce the closures.

“The work being performed will consist of various road improvements, such as milling, paving, and striping of the road. Due to the nature of the work involved, the amount of men and machinery required, full road closure will be necessary in the area of work to optimize the safety of the work crews and motoring public alike. The road will be closed from approximately 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. each day weather permitting.”

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“My main objection is that we were given no notice regarding the road closures. Deliveries that usually took 10 minutes took 40 minutes. We lost at least a thousand dollars in profits,” Brad Finkel of Hoboken Farms explained.

Finkel described the loaves upon loaves that had to be thrown out and how he would have operated differently if he had been given advanced notice of the closures.

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“We probably would have closed on Monday and used that as an opportunity to canvas office buildings that don’t know us yet in order to try and increase sales. I would have also arranged to donate sandwiches to the food bank, teachers, the police department and the department of public works, but again, we just didn’t know,” Finkel stated.

While things are looking brighter for Hoboken Farms with business back up and running as of this morning, ucnj.org notes that the construction will continue for several more days, costing many businesses in New Providence and surrounding areas that rely on Springfield Avenue a lot of extra time and money. The County website offered this justification.

“The County recognizes the inconvenience that any road construction may cause and apologizes for any difficulties encountered. The County shall make every effort to have the work completed as soon as possible.”

Finkel explained that when he approached the Summit Police to try and find out about the construction, they were unable to offer any additional information. As he reflected on two days without the usual flow of customers and no information, he became increasingly frustrated with the county government.

“We were completely shut down for Monday and Tuesday. Nobody could get to us. Our street is open now but we had no idea when we would be open. The Summit Police officer I spoke to was very friendly. He explained that they have no say in the matter; that the construction is totally controlled by the county… I would like to say that the Summit Police were absolutely great throughout all of this. They did everything they possibly could.”

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