The intersection of Grand Avenue and Bell Road in Surprise will be affected as Bell is closing for several months.
The closure will update the busy interchange by making Bell Road more efficient. Currently, Bell Road stops for Grand Avenue traffic and for the railroad crossing. The improvements will change that.
Bell is closing in both directions at 10 p m. on April 1 and will be completely closed for the next six to eight months, while Grand will remain open and under construction. The detour at Bell will have drivers go down Dysart Road, west on Greenway Road and then up Litchfield Road.
Surprise Economic Coordinator Kendra Pettis said the city has been working with the 300 businesses effected to make the pains of construction go as smooth as possible. But a drop in business during the construction is expected.
“I think most of the businesses understand that the outcome of the construction will be beneficial for them in the long run, and this will be kind of a nice gateway into that retail area,” she said.
Pettis said the full closure was chosen instead of a much longer option to lessen the impact on shops.
“Their busiest season is obviously in the winter and the spring when we have winter visitors and that they’re a little bit slower in the summer, and anything we could do to not impact their busy season would be really important.”
The city has provided extra signage to let people know the businesses are still open and need the public’s support.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been modified to reflect the status of Grand Avenue during construction, and the planned duration of construction.
