The ongoing sewage infrastructure project on Spanaway Loop Road South has faced significant delays, leaving local businesses frustrated. Pierce County initiated the construction approximately 15 weeks ago, but recent updates indicate that the work will continue well into the future. Business owners like Shara Vansomeren are experiencing a decline in customers and are calling for more transparent communication from the county.

Local enterprises have voiced their concerns over the prolonged closure of the road, which they believe is deterring potential visitors. The county cites several ongoing challenges as reasons for the delay, but many business owners feel left in the dark about the progress and timeline.

Impact on Local Businesses

The extended construction period has significantly affected local businesses along Spanaway Loop Road South. Many establishments, including Blue Steele Coffee Company, have seen a substantial drop in customer traffic. Business owners are struggling to maintain operations amid the uncertainty surrounding the completion date.

Shara Vansomeren, the lead barista at Blue Steele Coffee Company, expressed her frustration with the situation. She mentioned that the shop's revenue has dropped by half since the construction began. "It’s a day-by-day, week-by-week struggle," she said. Vansomeren believes that the road closure has discouraged people from visiting the area. Without any visible activity or updates, it has become increasingly difficult for businesses to plan for the future. They are urging the county to provide more frequent and realistic updates to help them prepare better.

County's Response and Future Plans

The county's website recently posted an update stating that the construction will remain in place due to various ongoing challenges. Despite this announcement, many business owners feel that there has been little to no visible progress since early December. This lack of transparency has added to their frustration.

A notice posted at the construction site indicates that Spanaway Loop Road South will be closed to all vehicular traffic until February 2, 2025, except for local, school bus, and emergency access. However, business owners like Vansomeren doubt the feasibility of this deadline. They emphasize the need for more detailed and realistic updates from the county. KING 5 attempted to contact Pierce County for further information regarding the challenges causing the delay and when the project might be completed. As of Sunday evening, the county had not responded to these inquiries.