SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - The Missouri Department of Transportation bridge replacement project on West Sunshine will take longer than expected, pushing the completion date back several weeks from the original early December timeline.

The construction delays are impacting local businesses near the bridge, with some reporting significant drops in customer traffic.

Rachel Monrotus and her daughter opened Jade Dragon Boba three months ago at Metro Eats, a food truck court right next to the construction, as a drive-through shop. The unexpected bridge construction has forced them to reconsider their business model.

“We went from selling 50-60 cups of tea a day down to maybe 10, and it’s not sustainable,” Monrotus said.

Jade Dragon is transitioning to a pop-up model focused on events and farme

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