Morgan isn't the only business owner bemoaning a Michigan Department of Transportation project to rebuild a nearly three-mile stretch of 23 Mile from Interstate 94 to Baker and repair two bridges. Businesses that include restaurants and sewing repair shops say the project -- which has undergone various setbacks -- has gone on far too long and made doing business in an already faltering economy even tougher. However, officials with MDOT say they're 'sympathetic,' and the $10 million project is on track to wrap up in mid-November. Initially, crews delayed the project for about six weeks in April because federally protected birds were nesting under a bridge in need of work, said Greg Johnson, MDOT metro region engineer. The Department of Natural Resources places strict restrictions on workers to protect migratory birds. 'We think things are going to get back on schedule if we get weather cooperating with us,' said Johnson, noting that stretch of 23 Mile hadn't been repaired in more than 30 years. 'The roadway was in such bad shape,' he said. 'We couldn't go in and just patch it. We had to go in and do the total reconstruct.' Crews are rebuilding the five-lane road; there are three lanes open on the east side of 23 Mile with two lanes shut down on the west side, said Rob Morosi, MDOT spokesman. The project includes installing improved drainage structures; the paving of the gravel shoulders on 23 Mile; and surface and substructure work on two bridges. Another setback came when workers used the wrong mixture -- one that didn't meet MDOT standards -- for the road pavement, Morosi said. They put down a -mile test strip in July, and then had to go back and redo it. 'I think that's what caused a lot of consternation with the business owners,' he said. 'They saw the pavement going down and they saw the light at the end of the tunnel, only to see crews come back out a few days later. We understand their concerns and we can empathize with them.' Business owner Willie Patmon said the project has been an inconvenience to his customers, who've had difficulty navigating the orange barrels and business entrances. Some business owners have even rallied together to publish a map of how to navigate the area in the local newspaper, said Patmon, owner of Chesterfield Vacuum and Sewing. Patmon said he's also trying to accommodate his customers by opening early and staying open late. 'I'm just trying to take care of customers,' he said. 'It's just a nightmare.' You can reach Christina Stolarz at (586) 468-0343 or [email protected].