SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The University Avenue Complete Street project nears completion after construction began more than two years ago. If you take a trip down University Avenue, you’ll find a taste of Mexico just north of the border at La Princesita Taco Shop. “Hope you’re hungry," Chef Jay Peres said. "We’re ready to feed you.” But, for the past eight weeks, La Princesita has been chained up in her castle. "We've been kind of closed off with this fence, so it's really impacted our business," Peres said. The City of San Diego began the $13.2 million project in 2023 to improve University Avenue and surrounding roads while increasing safety for pedestrians. Local businesses impacted by construction delays in City Heights “They closed the road and told us it would be opened the 26th, the cashier at La Princesita Roy Peres said. "It’s the 24th, and it’s still not open." The road closures shut down access for drivers and the MTS bus Routes 7 and 10. "I've never seen them working," Peres said. "I don't know when they work, but then a couple of days go by and then I'll see that they put this out or they move this. I don't know when they work. They're very mysterious about it." In a statement, the city explains, “In March 2023, the contractor encountered an unforeseen buried structure during trenching activities for the storm drain installation. After investigation, the structure was confirmed to be an active electric vault.” “We're chugging along for sure. I just really wish they would kind of hurry up,” Peres explained. That delay took 15 months to address, pushing back the construction schedule. Growing sinkhole in University City sparks concerns as rain looms “It’s made our business drop maybe 80%," Peres told FOX 5. That means trouble for businesses. “It’s not just this local business. Others are also affected,” Peres said when asked about the delay. But it also spells issues for residents trying to find parking. “Two weeks more of agony,” pedestrian Bobby Cudal said when he learned the project will be mostly complete in April. According to the city, this area is one of the most densely populated parts of San Diego, but it doesn’t look like it on the side of the shut down. “It’s part of progress, I guess,” Cudal said. Still, loyal customers of all ages come back time and time again to keep the business running. “We're die hard. We're committed," Peres said. "We're here every night regardless of what the situation.” While the city expects the majority of the project to be completed at the beginning of April, they’ll still have minor work and cleanup to do through the spring. ...read more read less