Watch CBS News

Progress Leads To Problems On Alton Road

MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) - A major makeover for Alton Road is impacting everyone and everything on Miami Beach, including businesses.

The $32 million construction project spans from 5th street to Michigan Avenue and will improve the aging road, adding a new drainage system to avoid severe flooding in the area. The work has been going on for only two months, and people are already fed up.

"Even if you don't want to be nasty you find yourself being nasty," said Miami beach resident Jane Gross. "It's not fun."

On top of terrible traffic, the barriers and bagged up parking meters are slowing down sales for many of the local shops on Alton. At Bernie's L.A. Café, their customer based profits has been cut in half.

"We have a lot of regular customers who have stopped coming here because they cannot find a space to park," said the restaurants manager Omar Ahcar. "We are surviving because of deliveries right now, if we didn't have it we would be forced to close the business."

Some shoppers said they don't have the patience to scour for a parking spot, so they just drive away.

"I'm very lazy, so for me, it's better to park right in front of the store," said Nicolas Moran who tries to avoid the area because of the lack of parking. "I can't [find parking] so that's why I prefer to go to the other side or go to other places."

Frustrated business owners, drivers and customers all recognize the project is a necessary evil to improve the area—but they are concerned for what is to come.

"It's been a test of my patience and the rest of Miami Beach," said Gross. "I hope they get it done in the summer because it will be a lot worse during tourist season."

The construction project is expected to take nearly two and a half years to complete.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.