Those using the yet-to-be-completed River Falls Street as a cut-though route will now be ticketed, Chief Wilbur Williams said.

“There have been several near-accidents between construction workers and motorists,” Williams said. “That area is under construction and is not suitable for travel, unless you have business in the area.”

Patrol officers began pulling over vehicles Wednesday informing citizens of the new procedure.

“We’re not doing it to target anyone,” he said. “It’s about the safety of the construction workers and the motorist. Work is not finished, and the road is technically closed from the intersection to the railroad. If you have business in the area, you won’t be ticketed, but that won’t be the case if you’re using it to cut through.”

At present, there are marked alternate routes available around the construction site, he said.

“When doing business in the area, please exercise caution,” he said.

Don Bullard, River Falls Street project contractor, said while work seems slow in the area, things are progressing.

“By the end of next week, we should be ready to pave to the railroad track,” Bullard said.

Bullard expressed his appreciation to the local business owners affected by the construction.

“The people at Pac-N-Ship and Ophelia’s, have been caught in the process where it seemed like nothing was being done,” he said. “That was the point where all the utilities tied in, and we ran into some issues, but those people have been the most pleasant since the beginning.”

Bullard said the section from Ophelia’s back to Jackson Honda is indicative of what the finished street will look like – minus the surface paving.