DEWITT, N.Y. -- Business owners and residents along Erie Boulevard are pushing back against proposed changes to the heavily-used roadway.

The town of DeWitt showed off a construction project at an open house Thursday that would connect gaps in the Empire State Trail.

The DOT wants to make the trail continuous from Albany to Buffalo along the Erie Canal. But to make that a reality, the project would reduce Erie Boulevard by one lane in each direction between Beech and Bridge streets.

Some business owners are concerned about the inconvenience the project may create.

“I think that it's a great idea to have bike trails, but I think they're putting it in the wrong spot and i think they're sacrificing the amount of lanes that are necessary for commercial business to thrive on that street,” said Tom Greenwood, a business owner.

"This is just one component of it and it's a missing section so we have to fill in the gaps as best as possible, the most logical way,” said NYS DOT CNY Public Information Officer Gene Cilento.

Work is expected to take place during the 2020 construction season.