Construction knocks out phone lines, internet in Big Bend

BIG BEND (WITI) -- Several business owners in the Big Bend industrial park are furious after road construction knocked out phone lines, internet and even access to their businesses.

"The phone line has been down since Tuesday and our internet comes through there, our computer and access to data comes through that phone line," said Emmett O'Connell, a mechanic at Wrench Masters.

Big Bend officials say the construction crew re-paving Edgewood Ave. hit the phone line Tuesday morning, July 30th. Village leaders say the problem lies with AT&T, who still haven't fixed the lines.

"We weren't sure at the time if it'd take a day, maybe a day or two at the most," said Big Bend Village President James Soneberg.

Another problem plaguing the industrial park is that it is unclear when access to Edgewood Ave. will be restricted, which is costing businesses time and money.

"We've lost, I'd say, at least a couple, three thousand, maybe even more on turn around shipments, late delivery we couldn't get out. No notification so we couldn't even plan for it," said Erik With, owner of K2 Engineering.

The Village hopes phone service will be restored Saturday, August 3rd, and the road should be paved by the end of next week.

"As long as we can get customers in and our of here. They have to build roads, it's a necessity, but we really need out phone line back so we can continue to do business," said O'Connell.

Crews will be repaving Industrial Dr., which leads directly to the businesses in the park, in the spring. Soneberg says Big Bend will give companies a timeline for that project before work begins.