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Murray Street Bridge construction communication

Santa Cruz

Summary

Seabright merchants and residents say the bridge closure is crushing local businesses — one owner reported flat revenue, 500 lost customers, and a 1,173-signature petition asking for two-way traffic. The city manager is working on reopening the bridge to two-way traffic, but a summer closure remains a major worry for businesses that make their money June through August.

At a glance

Total mentions
4
Last 30 days
0

Last discussed May 26, 2026.

Impact analysis

💰Financial impact

Businesses report sales down 20% and owners raising prices to stay afloat during the closure.

✅Who benefits

Seabright businesses, residents and visitors if two-way traffic is restored and summer closures avoided.

⚠️Who could be affected

Seabright business owners and employees losing customers during the closure.

Mentions & discussions (5)

MeetingMay 26, 2026

City Council — May 26, 2026

Harbor and Seabright business owners are frustrated about poor communication ahead of the second full bridge closure coming in June. One owner said he pulled $40,000 from his 401(k) to survive the last closure and may lose his business. The Council couldn't act because the item wasn't on the agenda, but the Mayor connected a speaker with city communications staff.

Lookout Santa CruzMay 5, 2026

Tuesday evening traffic: Lane closed on WB SR-152 in Watsonville until July 3

Skip to content This post is updated throughout the day to reflect the latest incidents. It was last updated at 9:31 p.m.. Here’s what’s happening on the roads this evening… ▼︎ new...

MeetingApr 14, 2026

City Council — April 14, 2026

The council moved $39.9 million through the budget for the bridge's construction phase — mostly state and federal grant money, so it's an accounting alignment rather than new local spending. Construction is well underway.

MeetingMar 10, 2026

City Council — March 10, 2026

Residents from Lower Seabright asked the council to reconsider the city's quick end of the two-way pilot on the Murray Street Bridge, saying it launched with no signage and got less than a week before being pulled. A business owner reported sales down 40% after the pilot ended.

MeetingJan 27, 2026

City Council — January 27, 2026

Seabright merchants and residents say the bridge closure is crushing local businesses — one owner reported flat revenue, 500 lost customers, and a 1,173-signature petition asking for two-way traffic. The city manager is working on reopening the bridge to two-way traffic, but a summer closure remains a major worry for businesses that make their money June through August.

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