Santa Cruz Harbor businesses react to Murray Bridge construction
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Construction and detour signs have already begun to appear around the Murray Bridge area as the long-awaited renovation project is officially underway.
While the project promises much-needed improvements, local business owners are expressing concerns about the disruption it may cause over the next several years.
Patrice Boyle, the owner of La Posta Restaurant, shared her worries about the lack of preparation time for the upcoming changes. "So we haven't had a lot of time to prepare for what's happening, or to come up with plans—proactive plans that can kind of hopefully mitigate some of the problems," said Boyle.
The closure of the bridge is expected to cause significant delays and potential detours in the area, with disruptions lasting through 2028.
Despite the challenges, City Engineer Kevin Crossley assures residents that the city is actively working with the hired contractor to expedite the process. However, many local business owners are taking early actions.
Erick Taillan, owner of Tramonti restaurant, is focusing on creative solutions to encourage customer traffic. "We really want to incentivize people to actually use two wheels instead of four wheels. It's going to be spring and summer—it’s going to be beautiful," Taillan explained.
In preparation, his business is hoping to install nearly 20 bike racks to accommodate customers who may be deterred by traffic disruptions.
Despite these efforts, some local business owners are still worried about the long-term impact of the project. Hans Haverman, owner of H&H Fresh Fish, expressed his concern over the increased congestion the project will create.
"This is going to be congestion like we can't even believe. They’re coming down here on a one-way street, but they can only come from the east. They have to go all the way down to Soquel Avenue, and that’s a total bottleneck out there," he said.
For Patrice Boyle, the future of her business depends largely on the continued support of her loyal customers. "I think all of the little businesses down here, we have really dedicated customers. So we're just hoping that our customers stay dedicated," she said.
She says that having been open since 2006, she has built a great relationship with many locals. Approximately 20 percent of her clientele are locals, and she hopes that those who have supported her restaurant for the past 15 years will continue to visit, despite the disruptions.
The city is also taking steps to help mitigate the challenges for local businesses. They are working on adding numerous signs to alert customers that the businesses in the area remain open and are planning to meet with business owners early next week to discuss additional measures.
As the renovation project moves forward, the community’s resilience will be tested, but many local businesses remain hopeful that with some creative thinking and loyal support, they can weather the storm. The city plans to meet with local businesses next week.
