WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. -- A major road construction project is changing Highway 12 into an interstate bypass around Baraboo connecting to Interstate 90/94 and affecting many nearby businesses in the process.

The construction work, which began this spring, has transformed the area just west of Wisconsin Dells. There are now several new round-a-bouts and a temporary Highway 12, which goes behind businesses like the Wisconsin Dells Craft and Antique Mall. The mall once faced Highway 12, but now traffic enters the business from behind.

As it turns out, the craft mall's manager said the change has been a boon.

"What's happened is it's actually increased our business because it's been easier for our customers to get in and out from the back end then it was when (Highway) 12 was so hectic prior," said manager Kate Hackbarth.

Those unique, hand-carved rustic bears that used to greet customers now sit on what is essentially the back side for now.

"Unfortunately, you can't see him from the road any longer, but we have such a loyal following since (1998) when we opened," said Hackbarth. "People have been coming, and now, we're getting even more with word-of-mouth advertising."

Managers said that once the bypass is complete, efforts will be made to make the back side also look like an entrance since it will face the newly named County Road BD.

However, the crew down the road at Scenic Traveler doesn't see the bypass as a positive move. Since the changes, customers to their business have had a difficult time finding them, they said.

"People are having a tough time finding it, we've had people go by the place not even knowing it. Then, call here and now they're 30 too 40 miles down the road on the other side of the Dells looking at how they missed it," said sales representative Bill Fredrick.

Fredrick said once the bypass is complete in 2011, customers buying new campers and trailers will have to go through two full round-a-bouts in order to get back on the interstate.

"Anyone purchasing a trailer is going have real issues getting it out of here with these round-a-bouts. Those are awful tight turns to be pulling trailers," said Fredrick.

Fredrick said more signage for detouring traffic would have helped his customers.

Now, he said, his prime location has become a drawback.

"It hurt us some this year and it's going to hurt us for the next couple of years until people get it figured out," said Fredrick.

The Highway 12 bypass will be open by the fall of 2011, according to project managers with the state Department of Transportation. The complete bypass around Baraboo will take until 2015 to complete.

Baraboo city leaders said they believe the bypass will be a good thing for the city, but Fredrick said he has serious doubts.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.