A state plan for major improvements on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven is set to begin in the fall of 2019, but property owners along the corridor continue to harbor serious concerns about the project.

Spokesmen for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation presented the final plan for the $5.5 million project at a Martha’s Vineyard Commission meeting heald at the Katharine Cornell Theatre Thursday evening.

“Some say the best compromise is one where nobody’s happy,” said Thomas Currier, supervising project manager with the DOT. “We’re trying to make the best improvements we can with what we have to work with.”

The project has been in the works since 2013, and proposes to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists along the busy roadway, which lies adjacent to the Island’s main ferry port in Vineyard Haven. The plan will require a number of abutters to sell some of their land, and on Thursday night property owners expressed anxiety about the impacts on their businesses from land takings.

Ralph and Dorothy Packer own the Shell gas station on Beach Road, among other properties. Debbie Packer, manager of the station, said she worried the project could bring the road dangerously close to the gas pumps.

“It is a safety issue,” she said. “We need that space in order to conduct our business safely . . . I would love for you to come to work with me on July Fourth and see what we do with that space.”

Pam Cassel, owner of Wind’s Up, said the property taking could cut their parking capacity by half.

“You spoke about enhancing access to business,” Ms. Cassel said. “[But] Wind’s Up is going to be considerably compromised.”

Her son Geoffrey Cassel said the trees along Beach Road near Wind’s Up were planted decades ago by his grandmother. The state plan proposes to remove those trees.

“Losing those is a little bit more of a tragedy to those who actually live there during the day, seven days a week during the summer,” Mr. Cassel said.

Mr. Currier said all right of way arrangements have to be completed before they can put the project out to bid next May. He said the state’s acquisition team will visit the Island in the coming months to conduct interviews and negotiate with property owners. Easements vary, but include physical property, utility access and temporary construction access.

Sea level rise is a major concern in the area. Beach Road sits on a barrier beach between the harbor and Lagoon Pond and regularly floods during storms. Mr. Currier was frank about expectations for the project.

“We’re going to rebuild the entire drainage system along the roadway, however it’s not going to fix the drainage problem. I’ll be completely candid with you,” he said. “We all know that the ocean’s rising. Now it’s a regular event to flood the road a couple of times a year, and that’s going to continue.”

The sea encroaches most in one critical area east of the Shell station. That area will need extensive beach renourishment, and has required project planners to seek permitting from multiple environmental agencies. The renourishment will involve laying mesh, sand-filled bags and planting 10,000 plugs of beach grass, Mr. Currier said.

The plan proposes to move many utilities underground, but not all. Phil Wallis, exceutive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, said proposed utility poles would be visible from the museum’s new site overlooking Lagoon Pond.

“From my perspective literally on top of the hill . . . I’m not happy that there could be 55-foot poles erected all along there,” he said. “That will really emasculate a lot of view.”

Though many alterations were suggested has no authority over the project; the meeting was strictly informational. Tisbury selectman and board chairman Tristan Israel said he was disappointed that local comment is not fully reflected in the plan.

“We got a 100 per cent plan that was very different [from what selectmen had suggested],” he said.

In Mass DOT parlance, the design plan is at the 100 per cent stage, meaning most parts are set in stone. Mr. Currier said major changes at this point in the process could threaten the whole project.

“We would lose our slot in the bid program if we changed at this point,” he said. “That would just kill the schedule.”

Nat Benjamin, a member of the harbor management committee, was unconvinced.

“If it means a postponement, then postpone it. Let’s not rush into this because of some state mandate,” he said, drawing applause. “I think it’s very important that we get it right and make people satisfied with this project.”