Construction shifts sides on Buffalo Gap Road, bringing relief to some businesses, stress to others

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Since January of 2022, Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene has been under a $23 million renovation. For drivers passing through, it’s not uncommon to expect traffic to cause longer wait times and hearing the occasional honk or two based on how congested the road can get.

But now business owners and employees like Adrian Lopez Jr., who works at Oscar’s Mexican Restaurant #2, say that because construction is complete on one side it is easier for clients to pull in.

“It feels like we are getting somewhere with it getting close to the end,” explained Adrian Lopez Jr.

His dad, Adrian Lopez Sr., who is the owner, adds with the progress in the construction he has seen an increase in customers, hoping they can have a fresh start as currently they are not using the back portion of the restaurant as customer attendance has dropped after previously having 300-400 customers. That number is now between 80 and 200, leading him to cut down on employees.

“Right now, we have 5 people working when that number used to be 15. This week with the changes, we have seen a huge improvement. People are having an easier time to enter to our business and others,” added Adrian Lopez Sr.

While things are looking up for one side, right across the street is Sean Alvis who owns Abby’s Bottles and Brews. He says things are different now that construction has moved to the other lane.

“It’s definitely been slower than anticipated. We definitely knew the day was coming. They were going to move it to our side and kind of shut us off, so we just have to put our heads down and push through it, and hopefully they finish it in a timely fashion,” said Alvis.

He is looking forward for construction to stay on schedule for a fresh start, reminding Abileneans of all the local businesses ready to serve them.

“We had almost before a full year a business before they started loading us up with construction. We’ll probably market a little heavier initially to make sure it’s known that that barrier has finally been removed,” shared Akvis.

While construction may be a hassle now, business owners hope a smoother and safer road leads to an increase in foot traffic. According to TX dot the construction is expected to be done in the fall of 2024.

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