WASHINGTONVILLE, Ohio - A business owner in Columbiana County feels detour signs for State Route 14 are misleading.

Sales at Health Matters in Washingtonville have been ailing ever since detour signs for State Route 14 went up about three weeks ago.

The owner said signs like one along Route 11 that reads "RT 14 Closed in Salem" are misleading and make it seem the entire State Route is closed when really the closure only applies to the West State Street Bridge in Salem.

"People are calling us and wondering if the roads is open and if they can get to us and we have to explain that yes, they can," said Sue Altomare, Owner of Health Matters.

At the intersection of State Route 14 and 46 there is also a detour sign. This one says the road is closed 8 miles ahead and open to only local traffic. 

Health Matters is located about 4 miles beyond that sign.

"The average person isn't going to sit there and you're immediately going to think I can't get to the place I want to go to," said Ralph Edwards of North Lima.

The owner of Health Matters feels that the signs located miles away from the actual road closure aren't needed and that signs located in just Salem would suffice.

"There is a way to get into Salem, you can turn onto Lincoln (Avenue) and get out to the bypass. You can turn on Ellsworth (Avenue) the other way," described Altomare.

ODOT tells us they had to post the signs at the current location because ODOT can only post detours that direct traffic on roads they maintain and is the best route for truck traffic.

The project manager is allowing businesses to post signs next to the detour signs telling customers their businesses are open.

The project is expected to be completed in late November.