Drivers will soon have to wind through a massive construction project on Interstate 10 through Marana. The Arizona Department of Transportation is reconstructing the intersection of Ina Road and the Interstate and the work requires Ina Road to close at the interstate for two years.
ADOT renderings show plans to widen the freeway to three lanes in each direction at Ina Rd. and to build an overpass so drivers on Ina will not have to wait for trains to pass at the Union Pacific tracks that run along the east side of the interstate.
John Nguyen, General Manager at Miss Saigon restaurant, says business has already dropped 10-15 percent since preliminary construction began to reroute utility lines in the area, forcing the closure of some lanes on Ina Rd. west of Old Father.
“We don't know what going to happen yet we just wait and see,” Nguyen said, “But we’ll stay open for sure so hopefully all the regulars come back and support us.”
The Town of Marana is building concrete signs around the area guiding people to where they can shop and eat. It is also developing a new smart phone app to promote businesses during the closure.
Nguyen says the timing of the project makes it especially hard to make payroll because the drop in business comes as the minimum wage increases, “It is going to be better after this but it will be tough time.”
Town of Marana officials say to look for the new app and signs next month.
The closure begins February 15th.
