ALTON, Ill. — One of the major stretches that can get people in the bi-state from Grafton to Alton reopened Wednesday after flooding kept the road closed for two months.
The Great River Road, also known as Illinois 100, is considered the artery of the region, according to Stephanie Tate, who works for the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau.
She said for anyone who used the stretch, they had to use back roads to access Alton, which has created a difficult business environment in the middle of tourism season
"It's been monumentally hard on us," she said, mentioning that several businesses had to close down during the past two months.
The hope is that they will re-open now that Illinois 100 is back in business.
"I think today signifies a new beginning. It's the start of our summer tourism season," Tate said.
Lots of work lies ahead, however. Mud remains on the side of Illinois 100. The amphitheater park in the downtown remains closed and businesses are still cleaning up messes.
"Our basement is still pretty full," said Mary Morrison, who owns Morrison's Irish Pub.
She said her building is the first to flood and the last to get fixed. On Wednesday, she worked to pump water out of her flooded basement.
Morrison said she hopes her pub is up and running later this summer.
She said if the city did not have a concrete wall and sandbags, her business would have closed for good.
"It's been tough on a small business and it's been tough on our employees," she said.
Morrison said she hasn't been able to pay her seven employees since the pub closed due to flooding. However, she said none of them have left.
She said the city held a fundraiser to help them with costs, and all of it went to her employees.
Now, business owners like Morrison have to make up for lost time and lost customers. They hope Illinois 100 back open will mean a stream of people coming back into Alton.
It comes at the perfect time, according to tourism leaders. Illinois 100 reopened the same night as the July 4 celebrations on Wednesday. It also comes a week before restaurant week in the city.
"We're celebrating," said Tate. "I'm so happy. I'm so happy."
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