SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NE (KTIV) -
Summer has officially begun, and that means, roadwork! It also means more construction along I-29 and traffic that will be rerouted.
For businesses like Burger King in South Sioux City, an additional 3900 vehicles along highway 77 everyday is a good thing.
"In the restaurant business, we're never too busy," said Jim Willems, Director of Operations for the Burger Kings of Siouxland.
Even now, business is bustling at the noon hour.
Come next month, a local fast food executive says he would expect even more customers to stop in.
"That's an additional 40 to 80 cars per day for a month. So, do the math. If they average two people per car and they would stop in and spend eight dollars per person or per visit, it could have a large impact," said Willems.
The reason?
Come the beginning of July, the ramp going from Highway 20 eastbound to I-29 southbound will be closing for roughly 35 days.
For those who would normally use that route, it means they'll have to leave a little extra time.
"If you are in South Sioux City and want to go to Omaha via the interstate, we would actually route you up to U.S. 77 up to the Wesley Parkway interchange and on to I-29," said Dakin Schultz, Iowa DOT Transportation Planner.
With the Wesley Parkway interchange already under construction, some may be concerned about what additional traffic flow will do.
South Sioux officials say a recent change will help prevent major problems.
"They can get used to making a free right-hand turn going from South Sioux City down to the interstate, and that's worked out extremely well," said Lance Hedquist, South Sioux City Administrator.
Concerns set aside, all that one local business will do is say, "thank you."
"More exposure for our restaurant as well as the other restaurants up and down the Highway 77 here and as well as some of the other businesses. So, it will have an impact, I'm sure, on all of us," said Willems.
