Bridge Closure Cuts Sales by 40% for Mount Vernon Shop

The State Route 536 Division Street Bridge has been closed to all vehicle traffic since November 1, causing a sharp decline in customers for small businesses in Mount Vernon, Washington. The Washington State Department of Transportation initiated the closure in both directions for an infrastructure preservation and painting project. This full shutdown has isolated storefronts that rely on steady cross-river traffic, leaving owners to manage a sudden drop in revenue.

Nicole Cruse, owner of Cruser Coffee, noted that disruptions began with partial closures in June, but the current full shutdown has delivered a severe financial hit. Cruse said, “It’s like a ghost town over here. It’s been pretty terrible, not going to lie.” Before the construction, Cruse served more than 100 customers a day and employed two staff members. She is now working more shifts alone to manage costs and hopes the state finds a way to compensate small businesses for the impact.

Nearby retailers report similar declines in regular clientele. Kayetlyn Brittain, a budtender at Northwest Cannabis Company, stated that sales are down roughly 40% on most days. Brittain added, “I don’t see any of my regulars hardly. It’s very rare to see people, which sucks. It’s just been really hard.” She acknowledged the work is for a good cause but expressed a wish that locals had more of a voice in how the process was planned.

Transportation officials acknowledged the economic strain the shutdown has placed on local retailers. WSDOT public information officer David Rasbach said the agency coordinated with municipal leaders to accelerate construction. Rasbach stated, “We know there's a lot of strong interest in getting this work done and reducing the amount of time that construction affects the residents and businesses in this area on both sides of the bridge.” He added that the department must balance the need to preserve the important piece of infrastructure connecting downtown Mount Vernon and West Mount Vernon.

The Division Street Bridge connects two distinct parts of the city across the Skagit River. Multiple business owners have posted signs noting the disruption caused by the ongoing construction. The agency aims to minimize the duration of the inconvenience while completing necessary maintenance on the span.

WSDOT says the SR 536 is scheduled to fully reopen in time for the holiday season, provided weather conditions allow for work to stay on track. The closure remains in effect for both directions of travel. Local businesses continue to operate with reduced staffing and lower foot traffic while crews work on the bridge.