FERNDALE — In order to make some routine street repairs, the section of West Nine Mile Road between Woodward Avenue and Planavon Street is undergoing construction.
    
According to Public Works Director Byron Photiades, the “miscellaneous street and gutter replacements” began on June 23 and are expected to continue through at least the first week of July. The city is first repairing the south side of the street and will then tackle the north side.
  
However, Photiades does not believe the construction — which runs through the heart of downtown Ferndale — will deter residents from visiting the shops along West Nine Mile. As he pointed out, the area is still walkable, and drivers can still enter the major downtown parking lots from Woodward.

“The road is open now for eastbound traffic,” he said, “and westbound traffic is being detoured. People can still get access to the municipal lots.”

Local business owner A.J. O’Neil agreed with Photiades, pointing out that the construction has not seemed to keep customers away.

“I haven’t noticed any negative effects so far,” said O’Neil, owner of AJ’s Café, 240 W. Nine Mile, on June 26. “Business has been just about the same. I think people are working around (the construction).”

And it shouldn’t be too long before things return to normal on West Nine Mile. “We’re hoping the job will only take two weeks,” Photiades said.

You can reach Staff Writer Jeremy Selweski at jselweski@candgnews.com or at (586) 218-5004.