By Andrea Calcagno
 
October 30, 2009
 
MEDFORD, Ore. - Businesses affected by the Barnett Bridge construction project had reason to smile Friday.
 
The paving portion of the project is now complete, meaning Dairy Queen, Motel 6, Travel Lodge and Days Inn can now be accessed from the west side of the Barnett Bridge to Alba Drive. The bridge is not yet open to through traffic however.
 
Dairy Queen representatives say employees are currently working part time hours and hope the access opening improves business.
 
"We're hoping that we'll get more customers in, hoping that they will see that it's easier to access us now from the front, and that they'll start coming in," Dairy Queen Manager Wendy Crawford said.
 
The Black Bear Diner and Best Western can now be accessed by taking a left off of the South Medford Interchange now without flaggers directing traffic.
 
Oregon Department of Transportation representatives say they meet with businesses on a weekly basis to keep them updated about the road work.
 
Construction is scheduled to end mid-December.