Dozens of local entrepreneurs are complaining that a major construction project along Route 32 is hurting their already suffering businesses.

The construction work started in the spring, slowing traffic down to one lane and causing long back-ups on the road. As a result, business owners say their sales have dropped sharply because walk-in customers are deterred by traffic.

?The economy's bad enough as it is, but this adding to it,? says Kim Brown, the owner of Sound FX.

Robert Capodieci, who owns Valu Clean Dry Cleaning on Route 32, says since the beginning of the construction, his business has been bringing in $1,500 less each week.

In the course of the work, orange barrels were placed along Route 32, blocking driveways and parking spots for some of the stores and eateries, like Ming Li?s Great Wall Restaurant.

Business owners say they do not how much longer they can survive. They have pleaded with the Department of Transportation to switch the crews' working hours to the night, but DOT officials said it is not possible. They promised, however, to work on an alternative solution to the entrepreneurs? problem.