ATLANTA — A new construction project is creating a traffic nightmare along Piedmont Road.
"Good luck getting anywhere. I mean, add 45 minutes. I could go down the street, it’s 45 more minutes. It’s pretty bad," explained Josh Bolla who lives in the area.
It's all part of Atlanta Gas Light’s “Piedmont Enhancement Project."
The company’s website says it is replacing natural gas mains and service lines with newer pipes in the Buckhead area.
The project will be completed in phases, but this is just phase 1.
The entire project is expected to last two years along the colored segments seen on this map, ending in March 2022.
However, some businesses in the area say the construction is impacting them and the flow of customers.
"It takes me about 20 to 25 minutes to get off the exit, so everybody is facing the same thing, especially the business. It’s getting very bad," said Andy, who owns a BP gas station in the construction zone.
Andy says he was never told about the construction project and when it started, he thought it would be something small. He says the longer it takes the more it hurts his business.
Meanwhile, others say they've seen this kind of construction in the area off and on for 10 years.
"Nobody ever tells us what going on, so we just kind of deal with it," said Alex Brounstein, owner of Killer Burgers.
Neighbors have also complained of thunderous noise from the construction, which sometimes shakes their building.
Drivers should expect delays from road closures usually from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and one lane of traffic in areas where construction is taking place 24 hours a day.