COSTA MESA : They Try to Cope With Road Work

Business owner Randy Garell wants to find some humor in the continuing construction on Newport Boulevard that has hit his and other stores on the street almost harder than the economy.

A sign posted at his business, the Grant Boys, Thursday suggests that the best way to avoid the traffic hassles caused by the construction is to arrive by helicopter.

“We’ve been bracing ourselves for months now, but the reality is hard to take,” Garell said.

In addition to the extension project on the Costa Mesa Freeway, which has deterred many drivers from taking that roadway and shopping at the businesses that line it--the street is now undergoing resurfacing work that will take another two months to complete. The work involves closing one lane on one side of the street and at times closing off some crossings, such as the ones at Rochester Street and 18th Street.

The resurfacing was put off last fall to help the business owners get through the Christmas season without the additional traffic tie-ups.

Garell said business owners are keeping track of the construction and will suggest the fastest routes to customers who call ahead of time.