LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Drive along Brownsboro Road any time of the day and there's usually heavy traffic. But plans proposed by Councilwoman Tina Ward Pugh to reduce the lanes and add a turning lane has left many businesses concerned the situation will go from bad to worse and could put them out of business.
"Immediately I thought it was gonna cause major traffic gridlock," business owner Patsy Bruner said.
The morning and evening commute along Brownsboro Road is already a busy one. But a proposal to reduce the lanes has businesses here worried the traffic will get even worse.
Patsy Bruner is concerned it could put her family's store Dixie Cleaners out of business.
"This is gonna remove traffic onto other roads and competing businesses. And it's gonna hurt people who commute downtown. They already have traffic problems,” Bruner said.
The plan was proposed by Councilmember Tina Ward Pugh and it would reduce the lanes from four to two and add a turning lane in the center. It would affect the corridor from Ewing Avenue to Drescher Bridge. Mike Willis who owns Lyndia Willis Salon shares the same concerns.
"Construction starts in April on this. Clients getting in and out and the roadways moving to one lane is really gonna put the traffic even heavier our way," business owner Mike Willis said.
More than 31 businesses have formed a coalition and set up a web site called save 42.org. He says they just want the mayor to stop the project so more sidewalks and crosswalks can be worked into the proposal.
“We do want to challenge the mayor that if you want to stop and get on the bandwagon with this and get a halt to this so we can get the changes we need to be done correctly," Willis said.
"More than 31 businesses have sent a letter already to the mayor asking him to stop the project until it can be further studied. They are also circulating a petition.
A spokesperson for the Mayor says this project has received considerable public input over the last five years. Councilwoman Tina Ward Pugh could not be reached for comment.
