Traffic Slowing Business Along Maple Ave.

Traffic is moving a bit more slowly along Maple Avenue.

That’s because of the Maple Avenue Safety Project, which is improving the roadway. But, getting there is affecting local businesses, like Goodwill, along the busy street.

“It looks like total chaos,” said Goodwill Store Manager Connie Kimble. “Customers are coming in saying they’re having a hard time getting into and out of the parking lot. It has affected business. Things are a little bit slower right now.”

Kimble says not only are the amount of customers coming into the store decreasing, but also people coming in to drop off donations, something critical to Goodwill.

“It seems to. They’re calling asking if they can take them to our ADC’s and drop off centers throughout the town.”

ODOT recently installed new street signs and traffic signals along Maple Avenue and are now working on the concrete medians along the edges of the roadway.

ODOT says the target deadline is still September 30.