By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – An important section of Grant Road is reopening following a months-long improvement project.
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Grant, from the I-10 frontage road to Flowing Wells, is set to reopen to traffic at 4 a.m. Saturday, Aug.1.
The area closed in May for major improvements associated with the Grant Road Underpass at the Union Pacific Railroad Project.
While the road will be open, construction crews will be in the area through the end of August. There will be speed restrictions, and drivers are asked to keep an eye out for the workers.
Crews have expanded the roadway to six total lanes of travel, updated traffic signals and crosswalks, extended sidewalks, and upgraded ADA access and stormwater drainage.
The section of Grant Road between closed in both directions on May 22 as crews completed the , approved by voters in 2006.
As 13 News reported in May, 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.
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“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.”
Nonprofits are also prepared for the closure. Habitat for Humanity Tucson informed 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.
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