JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – An Eastern city continues to improve its downtown, but businesses are starting to worry.

As of mid-September, the corner of New Bridge Street and Bordeaux Street was under construction and closed. Now, after six weeks, there is a central reservation, a sidewalk and an open road.

Cathy Russell, who works at Bicycle Gallery, said she thought construction would be finished by now.

“The date keeps getting pushed back, so we don’t know when our store front will be boarded up,” Russell said.

Other downtown businesses say construction was a headache at first.

“It was a rough start,” said Lauren Schwab, an employee at Southern Roots Salon. “However, they have made significant progress in recent weeks. I can say they are working day and night to finish the brick and the other side of the road.

The City of Jacksonville says construction is an 18-month project that began in March 2023. City Manager Josh Ray says the completion date is December 31.

“The project had no cost to us,” Ray said. “We were able to resolve several issues we encountered, but we hope it will be on time and on budget.”

The next phase recently began at the corner of New Bridge Street and Huerth Street. Russell says since construction began, they’ve noticed a difference in foot traffic.

“There was definitely a decline, especially before we had a fence in front of our business,” Russell said. “People didn’t even think we were open, so it definitely hurt the number of people coming through the door.”

Although there is a long way to go before construction is complete, the companies say they are eager to see the final product.

“We can’t wait to get this done,” Russell said. “And bring the entire flow of customers back through the doors.”

The city says the goal of the project is to redevelop downtown.

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