BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The construction equipment used to start paving a small part of Wible Road near the Auto Mall is now parked against the curb. Cones can be found stacked on top of one another and construction tape is strewn across the dirt. Nobody has been seen working on the street in weeks.

"They said it was supposed to be finished in February or March. Right now, it's February and it's not done yet," said Amrit Kahlon, an employee at Fast Oil Change Brakes & Repairs.

Maverik Asphalt Construction was hired by the city to rehabilitate the section of Wible Road between Pacheco and White Lane. Due to the recent storms, the project had to be put on hold twice.

"We would certainly be much farther along than we are now," said Rick Millwee, construction superintendent for the City of Bakersfield Public Works Department. "We lost a good four to five weeks just to weather on this project and just when we think we can get going again, another series of storms comes in."

Then two weeks ago, Millwee said they were approached by the contractor who told them they would not be able to resume work because they filed bankruptcy.

"It's very rare this happens but it does happen on occasion," said Millwee.

Now the city is scrambling to find another contractor to finish the job. Millwee said it will be at least four weeks before work could start up again.

It was bad news for businesses in the area who said they have been seeing fewer customers come throug their doors.

"It's been hard. We've been losing all our customers and our customers just don't want to come," said Kahlon.

Mettender Sing Kahlon opened Fast Oil Change Brakes & Repairs only four months ago, and now he is fears if construction lasts much longer he may have to close his doors like the business next door did.

"It is really scary for us. I had one employee and I had to let him go because it was slow," he said.

Millwee said for right now the city is trying to do the best they can to keep traffic flowing so they can access business in the area.

"We've been getting phone calls from the businesses, trying to keep them updated on the process that we're in. It is certainly not ideal for anyone to be in these situations but we are trying to get this roadway constructed and back open to the public and businesses as well," he said.

Millwee said once they find a contractor, they expect the work to be completed in four to six weeks.