Jennifer Flynn

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Temporarily halting construction at the Exit 20 overpass on Interstate 75 is keeping some local businesses from financial ruin, managers said.

“It made it so we didn’t have to close our doors at the end of the month,” said David Dunn, manager of Fireworks Supermarket.

The exit hosts two gas stations, two fireworks stores and a movie theater. Mr. Dunn said for the fireworks businesses and gas stations, the summer is their “Christmas season.”

Tennessee Department of Transportation spokeswoman Jennifer Flynn said bridge repair work at Exit 20 began almost a month ago. Only one lane has been open across the bridge, impeding motorists from the businesses at the exit.

“Traffic was getting really bad up there,” she said.

But after worried business owners called TDOT, the contractor, Jamison Construction LLC, agreed to stop work June 22 so motorists can reach the fireworks stores and gas stations without hassle during the Fourth of July holiday, Ms. Flynn said.

Work will start again July 8, she said, and the $261,000 project should be completed by the end of July.

Mr. Dunn said he appreciates TDOT opening the bridge for two weeks but added that summer business usually continues until Labor Day. After July 8, that business may go elsewhere, he said.

“It’s still going to hurt us quite a bit,” he said.

John Brewer, owner of Brewer’s Exxon on the U.S. Highway 64 bypass, said business has dropped by as much as 25 percent during construction. He said he spoke with several local politicians two months ago about getting construction stopped for a short time.

Mayor Tom Rowland and City Manager Janice Casteel could not be reached for comment Monday.

Mr. Brewer said construction signs on I-75 have not been covered, so drivers still are avoiding the exit.

“Even though they opened the bridge, those signs are still telling people to not get off,” he said.

Matt Clinard, manager of TNT Fireworks just off the U.S. Highway 64 bypass, agreed.

During bridge repair, “people avoided us like the plague,” he said.

But he said he never had any fears that the bridge would not be open during the holiday. The stores and movie theater bring in too much money during June and July, he said.

“Between the five of us, we’re bringing in over $600,000 in revenue in over a month and a half,” he said.