INDIANAPOLIS — Fountain Square businesses say they are relieved after the Indianapolis Department of Public Works finished a $14 million drainage project six months ahead of schedule.

Shelby Street reopened last week in the heart of the neighborhood. Daniel Stevenson, the department’s deputy director of policy and planning, said the early finish happened because of a new delivery system, coordination with utility companies, and the work of construction crews.

The project added a storm sewer system to help the neighborhood avoid flooding.

“This will help alleviate water flow from joining the combined sewer system, which will help during high water events,” Stevenson said.

Crews also added landscaped rain garden medians along Shelby Street. These gardens filter water into the new system and provide a protected cycle track that acts as a barrier between sidewalks and cars.

“Those will actually help filter the water out naturally into that new system, while also offering a protected cycle track,” Stevenson said.

The construction significantly impacted businesses including Nine Lives Cafe & Cat Lounge. Manager Lisa Latham said the work made parking difficult. “For the better part of six months, there was basically no access to the sidewalks. This was basically ground zero for where the construction was going on.”

Latham said foot traffic hit an all-time low when the project began. She worried she might have to lay off employees or reduce hours.

Since the street reopened last week, the cafe has seen more customers. “We’ve gotten a lot of customers that have said how happy they are to actually get here, and we’re really enthusiastic about it.” Latham said.