The next phase of the Highway 79 four-laning project is making its way into Washington County.

The widening project will reduce traffic congestion caused by tourists heading to and from the beach. And, it will provide another importation hurricane evacuation route.

However, the project has claimed a number of businesses in Vernon, and that has some residents upset.

Building by building, Vernon’s downtown business district is disappearing.

Vernon Mayor Albert Manning said, "We were told this was going to be just a slight adjustment to the roads, but now we found it's tearing up the whole town; so, we're loosing a heritage."

Now, just an empty lot is where Vernon's City Hall once stood, one of the first buildings to be destroyed. For them, it's turned out to be a positive, but for the other business owners in Vernon, it's devastating.

The next phase of the project will run just north of the bridge down to McFatter Road. That will mean the destruction of 10 businesses.

KC’s Pizza and Subs, Church of Christ, Dixie Dandy's, Frank's Auto Parts, Kendricks Store and Michael’s are next in line to be demolished.

Long time Vernon resident, Hazel Edwards sympathizes with the business owners, but remains optimistic.

"It's not affecting me all that much, but you know, I feel for the people that have businesses and all. Maybe they'll recover; maybe overall it will help all of us," Edwards said.

Vernon's mayor has hope the city will eventually recover; he's just afraid of what will happen between then and now. "Everybody is a little bit worried about what's going to happen to the city; it's another couple years, two to three four years that the city will actually get back into shape."

Officials from the Department of Transportation estimate this phase will cost $36.4 million dollars.

Bidding on the construction contract is set for spring 2009, with construction to begin next fall.