Rio del Mar roundabout construction to continue through January

Construction work on the Rio del Mar mini-roundabout in Aptos will continue through the end of January.

While businesses have been able to stay open, the Santa Cruz County Department of Public Works is still asking people to avoid the area if possible.

Mary Moreland, an Aptos resident, said she’s been avoiding the area since construction work began back in November.

“I’ve certainly felt the impact personally,” Moreland said. “It’s been difficult to come down here, and having to go on streets that aren’t used to having traffic on them too. I felt like I was really invading someone’s neighborhood.”

Until January 30, traffic will be detoured from Rio del Mar boulevard to Aptos Beach Drive during work hours. Crews still need to add signage.

One business owner who didn’t want to go on camera said the work has temporarily hurt business.

But it’s a different story further down Aptos Beach Drive.

“Not one complaint about noise,” Rio Sands Hotel General Manager Raquel said.

Raquel said the county has been very informative about each step of the process and that allowed the staff to give guests clear directions.

“Communication is everything for a small community and because we do have a very good, tight-knit community, it worked out quite well,” Raquel said.

Raquel said they’re at 98 percent capacity, which she says is great after the holidays.

And while the impact has been felt differently across town… both agree the end product is worth it.

“I think it’s been a very positive project. I’ve used the roundabout, just testing it if you will, and it seems like a better, easier flow of traffic,” Raquel said.

“I hope it helps,” Moreland said. “I know this has been a very problematic area, with lots and lots of mishaps, even for myself.”

Weather permitting, work will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.