Smyrna business owners have mixed reactions over Windy Hill Road construction project

SMYRNA, Ga. — Construction on Windy Hill Road has been a multi-year project.

It’s beginning to take shape, but the deadline to complete it has been extended.

Channel 2′s Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell talked to Smyrna business owners about how the project is affecting their business.

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There are mixed reactions among business owners about how long the project is taking.

Once completed, the transformed Windy Hill Road will be a game-changer.

“I’m more excited now than ever in 25 years now on Windy Hill Road,” business owner Michael Farkas said.

Farkus owns the clothing store, Michael’s Clothing.

He said he gave up parking spaces to make room for the project, but he’s optimistic about the future.

“It’s going to be absolutely beautiful,” Farkas said.

The owner of Old South Bar-B-Q, Joy Llewallyn, makes her customers feel right at home.

But the past three years have been somewhat challenging because her restaurant is surrounded by construction.

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“We have a lot of people complaining that they don’t come as much because of all the construction,” Llewallyn said.

The Windy Hill Road project broke ground in 2020.

The stretch between South Cobb and Atlanta Road is being lowered to create express lanes with tunnels.

At street level, there will be intersection improvements, bike lanes, walking paths, and parks.

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“The worst part is what’s fixing to happen, which is when they take me off the red light corner,” Llewallyn said.

The project was set to wrap up this summer, but that won’t happen.

City officials aren’t sure how long it will take to finish.

But we do know construction workers will begin installing the bridges and walls soon.

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Michele Newell, WSB-TV