‘It’s hurting me, big time’
Owner of popular convenience store says his business is suffering due to roadwork on Portugal Cove Road
The owner of a typically busy convenience store in the east end of St. John’s says major roadwork has become a major inconvenience for his business.
“It’s hurting me, big time,” Breen’s Deli & Baked Goods owner Bill Breen told The Telegram Tuesday.
Breen is fed up with the work on Portugal Cove Road that is part of the water main replacement project.
The project — a $14.3-million shared venture between the municipal, provincial and federal governments — is being done as a result of a series of large water main breaks in the area, as the existing system is the original 100-year-old main that connects Windsor Lake to the downtown area of the city.
Along with replacing the transmission system, a new underground pressure reducing station is being constructed on the water main near the intersection of Portugal Cove Road and New Cove Road.
While some preliminary work began in 2017, the major tear-up began in April of this year.
The project isn’t expected to wrap up until late November or early December, which is slightly later than expected, according to a city spokesperson.
As a result of the construction, a large section of Portugal Cove Road has been closed to traffic for months.
The lower part of Portugal Cove Road, where Breen’s store is located, has been closed since earlier in the summer because only roadwork vehicles are permitted on that stretch of road.
“(The road equipment) is almost on top of me out there now. I could spit and hit the tractor,” Breen said. “Pretty soon, I’m going to be surrounded out there.
“I’m losing my passing trade. The majority of my regular customers are trying to get in here and God love them for trying, but there’s nobody can get up through here.”
Breen estimates he has lost at least 30 per cent of his business since the roadwork began.
“I’m going through the books now and it’s bad. I’ve got bills to pay,” he said.
“I might have to lay off some people to make ends meet. I’m not happy about that.”
He said he understands the work needs to be done, but the project is going on way too long.
Breen said he hopes the city will give him some type of compensation for the business he’s lost or at least a tax break.
“They should do something to help me out,” he said, “because this is not fair on me.”