Construction plans for a busy Bay Ridge road to replace a water main has merchants concerned about their bottom line.

The city will spend $26.8 million to replace an aging water main and install new sidewalks on 86th Street from Shore Road to Gatling Place. Storeowners complain workers will be pulling up sidewalks, causing a mess and leaving shoppers with fewer parking spaces.

Business owners say they worry customers will stop coming to the popular shopping area. Merchants successfully rallied to have the project's completion date cut back from 24 months to 18 months.

Community Board 10 argues the work is necessary and says it will primarily take place at night. Workers are currently surveying the area.