Some Claim New Highway 64 Bypass Already Hurting Business

At Knightdale Seafood and Barbecue, business cooled off.

"The day it opened, we were booming. I guess because of all the excitement people said, 'Alright, we're going out,' then it was like Saturday, somebody turned the lights off," said restaurant owner Rich Warren.

Warren said some of his longtime customers from Rocky Mount have gotten lost on the bypass because of a lack on signs on the eastbound side. However, Warren said the state Department of Transportation has already fixed the sign problem on the bypass and despite the early slowdown, he remains optimistic.

Several convenient stores and fast food outlets also noticed a slowdown while some delivery-type businesses claim the bypass boosted efficiency.