A local businessman contacted the Ombudsman to ask for assistance when the Department of Transportation provided a week’s notice that the main road providing access to the front of his business would be closed for two years for road improvements. After reviewing the scope of work posted on the DOT website, the Ombudsman recommended that the complainant attend a community council meeting, which would include his state representative and DOT project engineers. Due to the extensive road improvement upgrade, the Ombudsman also advised the complainant to write a letter to the project manager requesting a detailed alternate route plan to accommodate the access issue. The complainant began communicating with the agency, which had designated the project manager as his liaison. DOT agreed to provide an alternate design route to the back of the complainant’s business and assigned a contractor to provide a paving upgrade for the parking lot and the new entrance. The complainant said he was satisfied that DOT was working with him and thanked the Ombudsman for the recommendations and intervention. (A2017-0524)