PARADISE TOWNSHIP -- Businesses along Route 940 in Paradise Township near Mount Pocono were hoping a closed bridge would be open by the end of October, but that isn't the case as work is still being done.
"Everybody avoids it. The longer it goes on, the less business we have. Everyone knows it's here, and no one wants to come down," said Debra Hicks, Floods Nursery Manager.
The bridge work is part of a statewide multi-million dollar bridge program. The bridge was shut down in early August because it was in such bad shape, patch work would not be enough to fix it.
Repair work made running businesses on this stretch difficult.
"We've lost quite a bit of business, probably at least down 50 percent for the last few months so that has been rough," said Kerri Buchter, Casa's Pizza.
According to contractors, some disruptions forced them to push the opening from this month to next.
Now, with the cement poured and siding of the bridge nearly complete, business owners like those at Casa's Pizza are breathing a little easier.
"Right now, we are mentally preparing for it and hoping for the best," said Butcher.
For many of the businesses along this stretch of Route 940, they relied on summer traffic to get them through the winter. They lost that with all the work going on. They hope work does wrap up soon, so they can get some holiday traffic.
Debra Hicks manages Floods Nursery on Paradise Valley Road. She tells Newswatch 16, it's been a difficult few months trying to sell inventory.
This year, managers are even opting out of selling Christmas trees just in case the opening gets pushed again.
"We have just been letting them know with the traffic and bridge it's not feasible and they understand. We have a great customer base so many of them are looking forward to a better year next year," said Hicks.
Officials expect the bridge to reopen to traffic during the week of November 14, 2016.