SOUTHINGTON, Conn. -- One Southington business, like so many others, is feeling the pinch of the tight economy.

So dealing with a lot full of problems means a hear headache for owner Ed Kalat. He blames drainage problems from nearby Interstate 84 from a construction project there several years ago. He said his business has been open for more than two decades, but his problems only started when the construction did.

The company’s owner said he’s had the parking lot repaved many times. However, there are still chunks of asphalt everywhere. He said it keeps happening over and over and it’s too expensive to fix.

The price tag: $10,000 for the sidewalk, $5,000 for a new driveway apron and another $3,000 for all the paving.

Kalat said, “Now with the economy the way it is, and the fact that we have associates we have to make sure we keep employed so they don't lose their jobs, this is a major concern for us. I can't afford to put another parking lot in”

However, the Department of Transportation said a half-dozen people investigated this issue over the last several years and a spokesperson said the situation has been, “Very well reviewed, very well documented and very confident there has been no negative impact,” because of any construction they have completed.

The DOT added that experts in the field looked at the project to modify a ramp near Kalat’s business even before any of the construction began.

Kalat said he doesn’t buy it.

Kalat said, “The engineers from the state of Connecticut said it’s definitely not their problem. I think it is.”