It’s a familiar story in Montreal but one that seems doomed to be repeated – merchants, this time on St. Jacques St. in N.D.G., say construction and traffic detours are killing their businesses.

There's nothing left of the once popular Dic Ann's franchise near Grand Boulevard. The reason for closing is displayed loud and clear in the window: road construction killed the business.

“When we first opened here ten years ago, usually in the morning going to work and the rush hour 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. coming home from work was bumper to bumper on this street,” said Lloyd Brown, former owner of the franchise.

But two things happened – construction on the Turcot Interchange forced the closure of the St. Jacques ramp to the Ville Marie Expressway, and traffic was also rerouted at the other end of St. Jacques near Angrignon last fall.

As a result, motorists avoid the area. At the Torta Persian restaurant, owner Omid Bayat watches in dismay as the neighbourhood falls apart due to the road detours. He said there are at least 20 "For Rent" signs hanging in windows along the street.

N.D.G. borough councillor Peter McQueen blames Quebec’s Transport Ministry for its poor planning of construction work and the absence of mitigating solutions.

“Most of the mitigating measures have been for the Sud-Ouest, fair enough, and people from the West Island who are bused to downtown. What have they done for N.D.G.? Not a heck of a lot,” he said.

MTQ staff couldn't be reached for comment, but McQueen is encouraging merchants to put pressure on the ministry to help find a solution because construction is expected to last until 2020.