Business owners in Pennfield, N.B., say a twinning project on Highway 1 between Saint John and Saint Stephen will make their stores hard to find.

The highway is going to increase to four lanes from two and bypass Pennfield in the process.

Russell Weir, who runs a blueberry stand in Pennfield, said the construction will take a financial toll.

"That will have a major impact on our business here of course," he said. "It's not something we look forward to. Yet we know it's been coming. Progress always has a price, and I guess where our situation is, I guess we're a part of that price."

A local gas station is also worried about the effect of the new road on the bottom line.

Bill Stewart, who works at the station, said highway fill-ups account for about 60 per cent of sales. Stewart said he hopes to see some compensation for his losses.

"If we get sufficient signage from the department of highways indicating there is a business out here, that will definitely help."

Transportation officials said the new route is needed for safety reasons. some time to prepare. The highway will not be finished until 2013.