SEATTLE -- Business owners along Martin Luther King Way and South Graham Street are at odds with the Seattle DOT over its plans to put a barrier in the street at the center line of the intersection.

The city believes the barrier, called a "C-curb" will help avoid train/car collisions by altering existing traffic patterns.

The SDOT said there were 37 collisions over a 2-year period, much higher than other intersections along MLK Way.

Businesses argue the change will stop cars from being able to make left turns into the grocery stores, nail salons, shops, and restaurants located around the intersection.

Chris Van Dyk represents several dozen businesses along MLK and South Graham Street that believe the city of Seattle is forcing an unnecessary change.

Van Dyk and some of the business owners met with SDOT Monday about the plan.

"My business depends on the cars getting in here for fuel, and if they put the divider in it's going to be very bad for business," said gas station owner Gurdev Singh.

In addition to legal action, Sing and others are threatening to block the tracks the day light rail starts running on July 18.

SDOT officials said they studied the intersection of South Graham Street and MLK Way extensively and said they have no other choice but to install the barriers.

City officials said they tried using signs and other ways to change drivers' behavior there-- but none of them worked.