(photo courtesy of Randy Esada)

Crews installing a new 5G network for Verizon in the 7400 block of Beverly Boulevard have caused nearby business owners concern because the construction is blocking parking spaces and disrupting business, they said.

Verizon received a permit from the city to work in the westbound portion of the roadway on Saturdays – often the busiest day of the week for retailers.

Verizon spokeswoman Heidi Flato said Tuesday that the company understands the business owners’ frustrations and has directed crews to complete the work as quickly as possible. The project was initially expected to last for the next four Saturdays, but Flato said the work will be finished early, on July 6. She added that the city would only allow the work to occur on Saturdays because of traffic disruptions it could have caused during weekdays. Verizon was limited in how quickly it could complete the project because of those regulations.

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz, 5th District, said his office has not yet fielded complaints about the work but he has staff looking into it, as well as ways to possibly reduce disruptions caused by similar work in the future.