To the Editor:
The Pike County Chamber of Commerce has taken a strong stance as the conduit for the collective voice of local Pike County businesses near the Matamoras bridge construction area. Danielle Jordan, CEO of the Pike Chamber, went door to door to personally talk to every business located from the Delaware Valley High School up to the bridge.
A comprehensive report titled “Business Status Update Report with regard to the Matamoras / Port Jervis Bridge Construction” was created by Jordan to show the direct impact of the construction to these local area businesses. With the information obtained from 44 area business owners or managers, the survey showed that 40 of these businesses expressed that since the construction began their businesses were being impacted, with some claiming up to a 50% decrease in revenue.
The Chamber has sent a letter with the report attached to all of the PA local, state and federal Legislators requesting their immediate assistance in finding a solution which is both safe for emergency personnel and business conscious.
The Pike County Chamber of Commerce stated that they are fully aware of the imperative construction that must take place to maintain the safety of the bridge. In addition, the Chamber appreciates that complex decisions have been made by Penn DOT regarding hours of operations and detoured traffic routes. The Chamber affirmed that it is imperative to the economic strength of the area that the construction traffic not cause a diversion to the area or severely back up causing major traffic waits. In addition, the Chamber advised that they have received numerous calls of concern over the safety of the stopped traffic on Interstate 84 West, which is a popular tractor trailer route.
“Reducing the ability to navigate in this area has discouraged customers and tourists from visiting our region and our local businesses,” Jordan concluded. “This issue has made the struggling economic situation in this area of Pike County even more desperate.”
Pike County Chamber of Commerce
Milford, PA
The Catskill Chronicle 
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