Work on Auckland's City Rail Link is crippling a number of central city businesses that have been shut away behind fences and machinery.
The situation has become so bad one business is even closing down permanently and seeking compensation.
Open for business, but not a customer in sight - the Kaffeine cafe has been a labour of love for Gabor Florovits and partner Kyra Cheng.
Mr Florovits said this time last year they were averaging 120 customers a day, but now that number has been halved.
The drop in foot traffic has been so devastating for Kaffeine the business is shutting its doors for good on Thursday.
Across the road the 118-year-old Shakespeare Tavern is also struggling, as customers are forced to navigate a maze of road works to get to the entrance.
Business leaders claim more thought is needed around how construction will affect small businesses in the future.
Viv Beck, CEO of Heart of the City, said more "lateral thinking" was needed in mitigating the impact of construction and bringing people into the city.
Auckland Transport is considering compensating owners of small businesses for the inconvenience.
"This is largest project in New Zealand in middle of largest city, and it's always going to be a balancing act between making change and minimising effects on others," says Carol Greensmith from City Rail Link.
The work is expected to rejuvenate the Albert St area in years to come, but it will be too late for a number of small businesses.
Newshub.
