DECATUR - Follow the new brick road, if you're traveling from downtown to Millikin University.

But beware - it's not a straight shot down a typical city street.

City leaders say they're proud of the recently completed $2.7 million project to refurbish the West Main streetscape, and they're eager to extend the work next year along West Main from Oakland to Fairview Avenue.

Proponents say the changes improve the neighborhood's historical character and slow down traffic.

Detractors say the road is excessively bumpy and creates new obstacles and hazards for motorists.

Residents and business owners agree motorists should be aware of changes along the new roadway.

"If you make that drive, you will see that it's not a usual drive down a straight street," said John Phillips, owner of the BP station at 1096 W. Main St.

That's part of the plan, city leaders say.

Islands in the middle of the roadway and a traffic circle at the intersection of Pine and Main streets are designed to improve the road's aesthetics and calm traffic, said Assistant City Manager Greg Crowe.

The city council also approved laying interlocking concrete brick pavers for the entire route, costing $550,000 more than laying asphalt.

"We feel both the bricks and landscaped medians add aesthetics and help to calm traffic and keep traffic to a reasonable speed," Crowe said.

Phillips said his business lost about $1,000 per day during the construction period in front of the gas station, but he praised project leaders for working with businesses and keeping them informed about the roadwork.

Phillips encouraged the city to review motorists' experiences on the road after about six months before the city continues work from Oakland to Fairview avenues near Millikin University.

"I'm not being positive or negative," Phillips said. "But I think we ought to see how much damage we get to those center islands, how many problems or accidents may occur."

Accidents don't necessarily mean the design is at fault, Phillips said. It could be a result of careless drivers.

"It's a little strange driving down that road right now," Phillips said.

The roadway already has brought trouble for some motorists.

Earlier this year, a newly formed island was cracked along the new brick street, and a street sign lay crumpled by the side of the road.

Customers of Circa 1860 like the changes, said Rhonda Glidewell, an owner of the tearoom on West Main Street.

"It's more open in the evening," Glidewell said. "It's not a dark, narrow street anymore. Customers love it. They feel a little safer."

Glidewell likes the changes, too.

"Aesthetically, it's very pleasing," Glidewell said. "Hopefully, this will help increase tourism and help further restorations on the West End. It's a great step in the right direction."

Matthew Jackson approves of the roadwork, which extends in front of his home on the 300 block of West Main Street.

"The traffic is slowing down a bit," Jackson said. "As far as the medians go, they are not exactly straight, but I think that was part of the design to slow down traffic a little bit. I think that's going to work just fine."

Jackson also likes the new flowers, which were planted recently along the corridor.

"They've done a nice job with the aesthetic touches," Jackson said. "As a resident, I think it's a lot better than it was. It's really very nice now."

Anne Hostetler also likes the new flowers. She travels up and down the corridor virtually every day, and she approves of the new path.

"I love it," Hostetler said. "I may be one of the few, but I love it. It's beautiful, and the traffic has slowed down. I think it's an immense improvement.

Hostetler said motorists especially seem to have difficulty negotiating a turn off of Main Street around a traffic circle at the corner of Main and Pine streets.

"People don't know what to do with that," Hostetler said. "Some instructions would be handy."

Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.