Getting Business Back to Normal on Sioux Falls' 41st Street

by Jenna Mann
July 26, 2010


All seven lanes of traffic on 41st Street in Sioux Falls are now open to drivers, nearly a month ahead of schedule.  Businesses along the state's busiest artery have been struggling to keep traffic flowing through their doors since construction started at the end of March.  Some say getting the bridge done early is the best news they've heard yet.

Sales at Senor Wiener have been cut in half during the 41st Street Bridge construction.

"With the options, you can go anywhere else, and then when it makes it more difficult to get into a restaurant, you kind of stay away from it and avoid it," said Assistant Manager Darren Glover.
    
Traffic outside will get back to normal in the coming days as all seven lanes open to drivers, but managers don't expect traffic inside to bounce back as quickly.

"We're expecting it to slowly build back up to what it used to be, and we appreciate the customers, and I'm sure they'll come out to have some fun," said Glover.

At the Last Stop CD Shop, business hasn't been booming, but it hasn't been bad, either, thanks to some loyal customers.

"Business seemed to be pretty steady.  We've got really dedicated, awesome people that made it a point to visit us," said Manager Josh Morgan.
    
Still, managers say it's nice for customers to have full access to 41st Street again.

"It got to be quite a hassle for a short period of time, there," said Morgan.
    
Both store managers are grateful the project is wrapping up 29 days ahead of schedule.  They say the newly finished construction makes their businesses look better.

"Going to look forward to really enjoying the new bridge.  It turned out real nice," said Morgan.

"With the construction, though, it does look really nice, so we're really proud to be here now.  When the construction was going on, we were kind of scared there for a little bit," said Glover.       
    
Getting business back to normal along 41st Street.

Project contractors Cramer and Associates out of Grimes, Iowa will receive $500,000 of incentive pay for finishing the project 29 days ahead of schedule.