The Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure says they are working with business owners in downtown St. John’s who are affected by work at the War Memorial, and he is optimistic that they will be able to satisfy their concerns.

Businesses say they have no issue with the project itself, but it is having a significant impact on things such as parking and, in turn, their bottom line.

John Abbott says he met with those who are concerned in the last few days, and Mayor Danny Breen has committed to working on finding parking solutions in lieu of some spaces being permanently removed as a result of the work.

Concerns have also been raised about the timing of the work, as the leadup to Christmas is when a significant chunk of revenue is generated.

In response, Abbott reminds that the work is under a tight deadline to be completed by July 1.

However, he says the civil works part of the work will be completed soon and the contractor has agreed to take the barriers down and open up the street once that portion of the work is complete.