Traffic along Highway 34 in Colman has gone from nearly constant and heavy to sporadic as drivers avoid the route altogether. Only a few vehicles passed by the Classic Corner gas station and convenience store this past Wednesday evening, with just one vehicle stopping to fill up. Businesses along this stretch of highway, now under construction, are seeing dramatic declines in traffic—a concerning trend as they head into what would normally be some of their busiest months of the year.
Roadwork, which is just beginning along Highway 34 in Colman, is already affecting those along the route. With a growing number of drivers avoiding the area altogether, in large part due to wait times, business owners say they are feeling the pinch as the busy summer season approaches.
Concerns were raised at the most recent meeting of the Colman City Council about limited access to City Park, including the campground, pool, and golf course, including for pedestrian traffic. Engineers say they are working on a solution as work on the south side of the highway progresses.
Businesses with construction right outside their front door, especially when it limits access, find it a tough situation to weather. The overnight loss of foot traffic can significantly reduce sales. For many small businesses, especially those that rely on walk-ins or drive-by customers, even a temporary disruption can be hard to recover from.
Neighboring residents commented on how quiet the town has become as a result. Still, there’s hope that people will continue to support local businesses however they can.
Shane Waterman, a Senior Civil Engineer and project lead with IMEG, said that while work on a parallel water and sewer line replacement project south of Highway 34 will continue into 2026, construction on Highway 34 itself should wrap up by October. The goal is to return traffic to normal by then.
The project includes new grading, surfacing, curb and gutter work, a 5-foot sidewalk on the south side, an 8-foot shared-use path on the north side, a center turn lane, upgraded lighting, and improved storm sewers. The estimated $8.9 million project has been in the works since 2001.
