ATLANTA — Drivers in Midtown are used to traffic headaches, but lately, the backups are testing the patience of commuters—and the bottom lines of local businesses.

Restaurant owners are saying that ongoing construction projects have made it harder for customers to reach them, and some are speaking out publicly to urge city leaders to act faster.

"It used to take me 10 minutes to get to work. Now it takes 17 (minutes)," said Ayman Kamel, owner of K5 Hospitality, which operates 5 Church in Midtown.

Kamel says his restaurant has seen a 5% to 7% drop in reservations since nearby construction began.

"We're a restaurant—and restaurants rely on guests coming to eat," Kamel said. "If you add 15 to 30 more minutes for them to get here, of course, they're going to choose a different neighborhood

See Full Page