'This neighborhood will die': Major roadwork cuts off coastal Calif. community

"At the end of July, the city of Santa Cruz held its annual Wharf To Wharf race, which brings thousands of visitors to the popular beach town for a scenic 6-mile run. It is the kind of event Patrice Boyle counts on all summer, when reservations book up fast at her neighborhood business, the La Posta restaurant. But when the race course changed for the first time in its history because of a major construction project, business went away with it."

"The massive project began at the start of this year and is not expected to be completed until January 2028, with multiple construction phases planned - including a partial closure in March and two full bridge closures, one of which is currently taking place. In June, the Murray Street Bridge closed in both directions, forcing locals to sit in snarled traffic and take longer detours into Seabright. After the temporary full closure lifts (it's scheduled to finish in February 2026), the westbound lane is expected to remain closed for the duration of the project."

"For many Seabright business owners, the Murray Street Bridge is a lifeline that brings locals and tourists into the neighborhood, especially during the summer months, which is the busiest time of year. Several business owners feel that the city didn't do enough to help them prepare for the extended construction or find solutions to the decrease in foot traffic. With the ongoing road closures, cash flow has declined, and many are worried they won't survive t"

A $50 million seismic retrofit of the Murray Street Bridge has reduced access to the Seabright neighborhood and driven down customer traffic for local businesses. The project began at the start of the year, includes multiple phases and closures, and is not expected to finish until January 2028, with a temporary full closure slated to end in February 2026 while one westbound lane will remain closed thereafter. The July Wharf To Wharf race course change led to about a 25% drop in reservations at one restaurant. Business owners report snarled traffic, longer detours, falling cash flow, and concern they may not survive without more support.

Read at SFGATE