Extended road closure hurts small businesses in Southwest Harbor [Video]

A portion of the road is still closed after it was damaged in a March storm.

SOUTHWEST HARBOR, Maine — Businesses on Seawall Road in Southwest Harbor say they’re seeing a dramatic decrease in customers this year, which they attribute to a portion of the road remaining closed after it was shut down in March due to storm damage.

Travelers now must take a lengthy detour through Tremont to get to certain areas.

The Maine Department of Transportation, which owns the road, ran a public meeting June 27 to propose possibilities for the road and for residents to express their concerns.

“There’s nobody. It’s almost desolate coming out here,” Don Burdick, who was visiting Seawall Road, said.

Businesses along the road say they’re taking a hit, as they believe many drivers see “road closed” signs and turn the other way.

“All the businesses on the road are doing half-normal, and we’re just not getting the traffic because of the road,” Dawn …