APPLE VALLEY — Residents and businesses in Apple Valley are adjusting to the bridge construction on U.S. 36 near Apple Valley. Although some were concerned when the project began, many are saying that with a little planning, it’s no big deal.

“I just take a different road in, so it takes the same amount of time,” said Apple Valley resident Howard Behner.

Mary Ann Scarbrough of the Valley General Store said the construction hasn’t slowed down business. If anything, it has increased business.

“We get all the workers that come down and have lunch,” Scarbrough said. “And I’m seeing more people stopping and asking for directions.”

Heather Ward of Mount Vernon works in Apple Valley, and found that a little planning helps avoid problems.

“If you leave Apple Valley around 2:00 to 3:30, it can back up,” Ward said.

To avoid that, she takes the Vincent Road-Cornish Road-Lakeview Heights Drive detour into the development, which she said works fine.

Carrie Elliott at the Lakefront Grill said that when the bridge project started, business picked up from the number of nearby residents who decided to dine close to home instead of running the gauntlet through the construction to go into Mount Vernon.

“Employees have gotten used to leaving a little early to allow enough time,” Elliott said.

The bridge could potentially affect those living in the vicinity, but so far the bridge construction hasn’t become an issue.

“It’s only minor; it hasn’t been a problem,” said Bonnie Schutte, who lives in Millwood, but often travels over the bridge.

She said she just waits to cross the one-lane bridge, and that the traffic isn’t that bad. She added that the construction seems to be going very fast, so she had no complaints.