City leaders say an end is in sight for Phase Two of the Westside Diversion Tunnel project. There are three phases in total. The second one should be complete by spring 2013. But neighbors impacted by construction say it's not soon enough --
"It's been a long time and it is a big inconvenience," said Shirley Lemon, who has lived on Wilkes Ave. In Davenport for five years.
Miles and miles of residential Davenport neighborhoods have been caged off for more than a year. Steel pipes keeping cars off the streets and fences keeping neighbors inside their homes.
"The newspaper delivery wouldn't walk up the street and deliver the paper so they put boxes out in the alley," said Lemon.
The neighborhood streets are deserted -- except for the people who can't avoid the area. Just like traffic, mail carriers have to detour around the construction.
"Where I would normally cross the street, now I have to walk around the fencing," said Davenport mail carrier, Ben Reed. "Sometimes going a couple of blocks down the road to where I can get back to the other side of the street." Some days Reed wishes he worked a different route. But knowing there's an end in sight helps him get through the heavy lifting.
"It's been a year now, it's been a long year, so I just hope that it gets done soon," he said.
But some neighbors have chosen to make light of the heavy machinery blocking them in.
"I brought them donuts. I think they need that little extra reassurance," said neighbor Rich Ewoldt of the construction crew. Ewoldt isn't fond of the construction itself, but he's making the best of a bad situation. Even making friends.
"I understand they have to get the job done and make things better for us."
Phase Two of the Westside Diversion Tunnel project will cost $22 million dollars. Phase 3 will begin in the spring of 2013.
