Elm Grove Business Owners Talk Neighborhood Bridge Closures
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With the closure of Kruger Street Bridge already altering traffic in Wheeling's Elm Grove neighborhood, business owners fear greater delays once Stone Arch Bridge closes in May.
Kruger Street Bridge was closed to traffic on Monday for maintenance and will remain closed until May 17. Once Kruger Street Bridge opens, Stone Arch Bridge at Monument Place in Elm Grove will close for updates on May 20.
The closure of the Kruger Street bridge has diverted traffic to a five-point intersection near Wheeling Fire Station No. 11 on Bethlehem Boulevard. This redirection has caused headaches and delays for Elm Grove residents, shoppers and business owners.
Elm Grove Subs Owner Paul Keller is not sure how his business will be affected by the closures, noting he had yet to notice any effects from the Kruger Street closure. He anticipates the closure of Stone Arch Bridge in the summer may have a greater impact on his business.
"A lot of my customers come from the Wheeling Hospital to get food, so I'm not sure how that will shake out," said Keller. "The [Stone Arch] bridge closing right as summer gets started and we get a lot of foot traffic through here concerns me more than Kruger Street."
Keller added he moved to Elm Grove a year and a half ago and has been surprised at the amount of traffic in the area. He expects both closures to only add to the delays.
"Some people on Kruger Street rely on that bridge to come up this way," noted Keller. "My shop is in the middle of it all, so I don't know how the closure will affect us yet."
Keller added that the intersection outside the fire station was already "pretty difficult" to navigate, with increased traffic to the area creating even more danger.
"That intersection is always crazy, especially with pipeline workers coming across with big trucks," added Keller.
While Mane Attraction Owner Candy Hartley has seen no effect on her business from the Kruger Street closure, she also harbors worries surrounding traffic at the intersection.
Hartley explained many drivers use Junior Avenue as a shortcut and then try to cut across the five-way intersection to get to Elm Grove Boulevard, which she noted is "very dangerous."
"I would tell anyone not to do that when Stone Arch is closed," said Hartley. "I'd rather people get off the interstate and go over the Kruger Street bridge when it's done. I always hate when people do that shortcut."
Dollar Tree Manager Tricia Piper explained trying to leave Elm Grove Plaza using the intersection is "bad every day," and also advocated for putting a stop light at the intersection.
"Sometimes you sit there for about half an hour trying to leave," said Piper. "The other day I was there for 45 minutes trying to get out. That situation is probably going to be worse when Stone Arch closes."
Though traffic has worsened, Piper has not seen any effect on business yet and does not think the delays would deter anyone from shopping.
Morgan Lacefield, who owns the Domino's in the Bridge Street Plaza, looks forward to seeing improvements to both bridges.
"I would be more worried for my business if they closed the bridge in front of McDonald's," he noted.
Lacefield added he was concerned for traffic delays in the plaza as Bridge Street Middle School parents already line-up in the shopping area to pick up their kids.
Proposed improvements to the Stone Arch Bridge bridge have been in the works since July 2021. Lacefield explained that since the date for the bridge closure has been pushed back for so long, it can be difficult to remember what information has been shared regarding the closures.
"I hope communication is clear regarding the alternate routes," added Lacefield.
Ohio Valley Awards Owner Jen Gooch is also happy improvements are occurring but noted how she picks up her daughter from Bridge Street Middle School will change. The location for after-school pickups will take place at the back of the school as opposed to the front once Stone Arch Bridge closes.
"Some parents are going to have to turn at (Patsy's Pizza) and go the long way around to pick up their kids now," said Gooch. "It will be interesting once Stone Bridge closes."
While there may be delays in picking up her daughter, Gooch does not expect any slow-downs in business for her. She explained the store largely receives business from schools and organizations, so heavy foot traffic is not necessary for her store.
Slow-downs for Gooch will come in the form of traffic delays trying to leave the five-way intersection at Bethlehem Boulevard, which she noted has already been made worse by the Kruger Street closure.
"When I left for work the other day, traffic was backed up because everybody leaving the Plaza was trying to turn left there," said Gooch. "If something happens on the interstate, we'll need a traffic light there."