For the past couple of months, Bemus Point officials have fielded complaints from village businesses that sales are down in part, they say, because travelers are struggling to get into the village with the exit to the village closed as work continues on the Veterans Memorial Bridge over Chautauqua Lake.

In February, the problem was tractor-trailers getting off at the wrong exit for Jamestown and ending up in the middle of the village. Last week village officials discussed issues raised by village businesses. Mayor Jeff Molnar is trying to set up a meeting with the state DOT and Larry Anderson, Ellery supervisor, to find ways to help. And Village Board members passed a resolution saying the village will do what it can to support businesses as they try to navigate the construction project.

Reconstructing the bridge is a necessary project. No one wants to have a replay of the 2022 Pittsburgh bridge collapse here in Chautauqua County on a bridge that can see as many as 13,000 vehicles a day. We all knew there would be inconveniences during the four-year, $78 million reconstruction project, and by and large people dealt with the project well thus far.

But four years is also a long time for small businesses to deal with sales declines, especially in a village as tourist-dependent as Bemus Point. It’s been confusing to some who went to Bemus Point for doctor’s visits or a nice breakfast, much less those from out of town who aren’t as familiar with the area. While the Bemus Point exit from the bridge won’t be closed all four years, the town, village and state should put their heads together to do what they can to help village businesses. Changes to signs coming across the bridge may help the situation, as would signs when one approaches Exit 10 on I-86. And businesses have to do their part by using their websites and social media presences to help customers find their business.

We’re glad Molnar is spearheading the effort. State officials – and village businesses – should do all that can be done before the tourists arrive here in full force.