(COLORADO SPRINGS) — There are several ongoing construction projects across Colorado Springs, but one on the city’s east side is causing problems for small businesses. Dublin Boulevard is closed as crews work to expand the roadway and improve Marksheffel Road.

Molly Fish, the owner of Urbane Collective located off Dublin, is proud to offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the city where she was raised, but for the last few months, her storefront has been the site of a major construction project.

“I try to talk to every customer when they come in, how they found us if they are new, and usually it’s word of mouth or they drive by every day on Dublin,” Fish said.

While Dublin is closed, Molly and her team have struggled to gain new business.

“Customers are rerouted, and they don’t know where they’re going, and if it’s proposed to go on for more than two or three months, I don’t know where that will put me, honestly,” Fish explained.

The City of Colorado Springs said construction on Dublin Boulevard is expected to last a few months.

“I try to equate this when I talk to folks like remodeling your kitchen,” Gayle Sturdivant, City Engineer and Deputy Public Works Director, explained. “You’re going to go through a lot of dust, a lot of pain, inconvenience. You may have to go wash dishes somewhere else in your house, but in the end, when that project’s done, it’s a really great asset for you.”

City crews are changing Dublin Boulevard from a two-lane road to two lanes in each direction with shoulders. A raised median will be constructed to match other sections of Dublin. Additional changes will be a 10-foot multi-use path along both sides of the street, trail connections along Sand Creek, and a new traffic signal at Issaquah Drive, along with drainage upgrades.

According to the City, construction will close Dublin between Fieler and Mustang Rim Drives until Aug. 1. The timing of the project coincides with summer break at Pioneer Technology and Arts Academy (PTAA), minimizing the impact on the school community and Dublin Boulevard travelers. The City said this schedule allows construction crews to reduce the duration of the project by six months.

The City said the intersection of Dublin Boulevard and Peterson Road will close, with access to Fire Station 21 limited to authorized personnel only. Mustang Rim Drive will close north of Dublin Blvd. to Chickasaw Way, but will remain open south of Dublin Blvd.

Access to PTAA will only be available from the south, through the Peterson Road/Hawk Wind Boulevard intersection.

Courtesy: City of Colorado Springs

Detours will be available for drivers heading north on Woodmen Road or heading south on Stetson Hills Boulevard.

At the same time, crews are also taking over Marksheffel Road. When corridor improvements are complete, Marksheffel will have two lanes in each direction with a center median, improved drainage, a new sidewalk on the west side, and a shared-use path on the east side of Marksheffel Road.

The owner of Urbane Collective told FOX21 News she is most concerned about the closure on Dublin.

“The signage is pretty horrific, I’m not going to lie,” Fish explained. “I do live in this neighborhood as well, and the detours, you can either take Woodmen or go through a neighborhood, and when you go through the neighborhood, you miss the detour signs very easily.”

The city did just put up additional signage in the area, telling drivers businesses are open, but Fish said it’s too little, too late.

“If you come out east or north, there is no help for small businesses,” Fish said. “You are your own advocate, and 90% of the time, no one’s going to listen to you. We are willing, of course, to help the city build its infrastructure, but there needs to be open communication, there needs to be early signage, and possibly compensation for lost business.”

While the City of Denver provides small businesses with compensation during ongoing construction, Colorado Springs officials say it’s not in the city charter.

“We understand that there’s inconvenience, but in the end it’s going to be a better improvement for everyone traveling in the community,” Sturdivant said.