Construction is happening all over the region, from highways to main streets to back roads. One area in particular has had an impact on business owners: The Connective Corridor. Our Iris St. Meran talks to these businesses along East Genesee Street about what they're seeing and hearing from their customers.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Road work affects commuters, but businesses along the construction route also know the impact of a few closed roads.

Strong Hearts Café Co-Owner Nicholas Ryan said, "It seems like we've seen a little drop in business due to just how hard it is to get here sometimes when there's backed up traffic on Genesee Street."

Strong Hearts Café is on East Genesee Street. It’s at the tail end of the construction, which is part of the Connective Corridor work. Since the spring, crews have been adding bike lanes, new curbing and other amenities. Ryan says customers have been okay, but the business had a few roadblocks along the way.

"There's been a few days where there was unexpected water shutoffs that I guess were due to some water mains breaking during construction,” Ryan said. “That really affected us. We had to close down one of the days."

Normally in this area patrons would rely on street parking, but business owners have had to tell their customers to park somewhere else.

Angie Knox, general manager at Phoebe's Restaurant, said there is a parking lot behind the building, but it fills up fast. She also said there are other options, but out-of-towners aren't aware and usually avoid the area.

Across the street, Franco's manager Antonietta Vigliotti said there's lots of progress, but with construction in front of the business, patrons can't tell if they're open or not.

City Engineer Mary Robinson says her office is trying to work with business owners to minimize impact as much as possible.

Ryan added, "We do see the big picture. We know that all these changes are for the better."

Robinson said this construction work should be complete by the first week of November, if not sooner.