Kinney Tunnel closure in Fort Lauderdale expected to affect area businesses
MIAMI - While residents and tourists navigate traffic, several downtown Fort Lauderdale store managers try to steer their businesses away from financial losses.
Those CBS4 spoke with on Monday on Las Olas shared their frustration about the ongoing construction project for the Kinney Tunnel and the boulevard.
"The restaurant business has never been easy," said Rick Hamilton, General Manager at Big City Tavern. "There's always something that makes it tougher."
His restaurant is located mere feet from the construction of the tunnel. Hamilton says they've seen a deep decline in sales since the project began.
"It's not anything helping business, that's for sure. Having both sides of traffic right in front of our restaurant and further closures coming down the road," said Hamilton. "It's something we are worried about."
The detours, he says, deter potential customers.
He hopes long-term that the project will benefit businesses.
One resident believes that will be the case.
"Great for the downtown area bringing in a lot more people," said Matt Gowler, a Fort Lauderdale resident. "The future of Las Olas will be bright."
The short-term reality is businesses worry about sales.
Darlene Wolfington manages South Moon Under and points to traffic delays and the inability to park nearby.
"The clientele cannot come down and get into this section or get discouraged and drive around," Wolfington added.
There are detour signs for maneuvering past the tunnel and the construction. Wolfington points out she does not see signage for getting to Las Olas and accessing the businesses and restaurants.
"That's correct," said Wolfington. "And where to park. Now your access to parking is limited because you don't have the availability on the roads to access certain parking lots."
The tunnel will be closed Monday thru Friday. Las Olas Boulevard will be closed from SE 5th Avenue to SE 8th Avenue Wednesday and Thursday.
"After a while, they have frustration," said Hamilton. "They drive down to other places, maybe down closer to the beach and so forth, definitely detour business."
Both managers tell us even Uber drivers and Uber eats do not want to drop off customers or food near the area because of the detours and traffic.
The City of Fort Lauderdale sent a statement about traffic and parking concerns related to the project:
"Understanding the potential traffic impacts during this week's closures, the City of Fort Lauderdale took measures to mitigate the congestion together with our partners at the Florida Department of Transportation and Broward County. We developed a plan that includes public outreach efforts, modified detour routes, and proactive signal timing adjustments to account for the additional traffic along the alternative routes. We continue to monitor live traffic flows – digitally and out in the field – to further enhance travel times.
We encourage everyone to identify alternative routes around the impacted area, including the City's LauderGO! Water Trolley, a free service that offers access to destinations along the New River. Parking availability in the area remains largely unaffected by this week's construction activities: on-street parking is available along Las Olas Boulevard and in nearby City-operated lots as well as the Riverwalk Center Garage located on SE 2 Street.
We appreciate the public's patience as work continues to make this area safer, more resilient, and more accessible for all. For more information, click here."