By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Construction along Grant Road is entering its final stretch, but drivers in Tucson should prepare for a major disruption before crews wrap up.
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Beginning Friday, May 22, the section of Grant Road between Interstate 10 and Fairview will be closed in both directions for more than two months, as crews complete the , approved by voters in 2006.
The Grant Road exit is a busy corridor for commuters, shoppers, and semi-trucks — and businesses along the route said access is already challenging.
At Blessed Grounds Coffee, manager and barista Armando Moreno said customers have been navigating construction and finding alternate ways into the property.
“I was surprised yesterday that people were coming in here in the back parking lot,” Moreno said.
With crews currently working on gutters and sidewalks, the next phase will bring a full closure. Moreno said the shop will lean on parts of its business less dependent on in-person traffic — including wholesale.
“Our wholesale, it’s the most of our operation here,” Moreno said. “We do supply other businesses, other churches, firehouses.”
Even so, he said the business is counting on customer support through the summer.
“The coffee speaks for itself, and hopefully our service and our care for people speak for themselves, too,” Moreno said.
The Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility said the goal is to finish the work while minimizing the impact on nearby shops and organizations.
“Please patronize these businesses if you’re able to,” said Rachel Hutchinson with the department. “We’re not asking people to fully avoid the area.”
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Nonprofits are also preparing for the closure. Habitat for Humanity Tucson has been informing customers how to reach its furniture resale store located within the closure area.
“We’re hoping that people will continue to shop online, shop here at the store,” said CEO Charlie Buchanan.
Buchanan said the store plays a major role in supporting Habitat’s work across Tucson.
“This store really is a critical part of our mission and vision of pursuing a world where everyone has a place to call home,” Buchanan said.
Habitat said sales from the shop have helped build more than 100 homes in the Tucson area. Buchanan said they’re looking ahead to what the completed project could mean for the corridor — but first, they need to get through the summer.
“Big picture, we’ll continue to be a bright spot here locally,” he said.
City officials said that pedestrians and emergency vehicles will still be able to get through during the shutdown.
Construction along Grant Road is expected to continue beyond the summer, with the full project expected to be completed by October.
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