Arroyo Grande’s ‘Buy Local’ Program Eases Impact of Traffic Way Bridge Closure
Jarrod Zinn
ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. – A vital construction project has shut down the Traffic Way bridge in Arroyo Grande.
The city and chamber of commerce are helping local businesses through the project.
The Traffic Way bridge normally serves as a major traffic artery for the city of Arroyo Grande for both commuters and out-of-town visitors.
“We’ve noticed structural issues like falling of the concrete, breaking away of the concrete, things like that. So in addition to the scour, it just becomes even more needed to maintain the bridge itself,” says Matthew Downing, Arroyo Grande city manager.
For the next five months, it will be closed while crews make vital repairs to the 100-year-old bridge.
“We’re having to detour traffic,” says Downing. “We’re making certain roads one way instead of two way and just overall impacting traffic circulation, which can cause congestion and back up, which as we know can cause people to not want to visit that that area.”
Its closure is causing some impacts on local businesses, such as Luca’s Deli and Wine, which opened in January.
“Being in business for 35 years with eight restaurants. I’ve never seen a city actually reach out and do something to give back to the community, to help keep us sustained,” says Genuino Dalo, Luca’s Deli and Wine owner.
Many of these local businesses are located in and around the popular “Old Village” near the bridge now under construction.
“I feel like the timing is bad. I wish they would have done it in the wintertime. I keep hearing that it’s really busy in the village in the summertime,” says Dale.
In anticipation, city leaders have launched their first ever Buy Local incentive program designed to help ease these impacts on local businesses during the construction process.
Anyone who spends $100 at any one of arroyo grande’s locally owned businesses will receive a $20 gift card, while supplies last.
“The biggest things that we weren’t anticipating is just watching how people are getting around in the village,” says Downing. “We have particular ideas and like anything people find a way.”
Some businesses have already felt a pinch and they hope the ‘Buy Local‘ program will allow visitors to stretch their dollars further and continue to enjoy the local atmosphere.
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