A Madison business owner expressed concern to Madison City Commissioners this week about the delayed opening of Washington Avenue.  Shari and Blaine Eliason, owners of 2nd Street Diner on Washington Avenue, addressed commissioners during the public comment portion of their meeting.

Shari Eliason said that it has been six weeks since the stated deadline of September 28th for when there would be through traffic again allowed on the street.  She said they are frustrated and struggling with the impact the road closure is having on their business.

City Engineer Chad Comes said that the state Department of Transportation is overall in charge of the street project, because it is a state highway.  He said that they had hoped that by the end of this week that they could get the railroad crossing open, and the city has been expressing its concerns to the state about the delays.

Comes said that the city is continuing to keep pressure on them.  He said that they hold weekly meetings with the DOT and encouraged Eliason and any others frustrated by the delay to attend and voice their concerns.