The Brief
- Businesses in Mount Vernon are experiencing disruptions as the SR 536 Division Street Bridge undergoes preservation and painting work.
- Business owners report sharp declines in customers and sales, with one retailer seeing revenue drop by roughly 40%.
- The bridge closed on Nov. 1, and WSDOT expects the bridge to reopen before the holiday season.
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – A full closure of the State Route 536 Division Street Bridge over the Skagit River has cut off vehicle traffic and triggered sharp drops in foot traffic for small businesses in Mount Vernon.
The Washington State Department of Transportation closed the span in both directions Nov. 1 for an infrastructure preservation and painting project, leaving owners on the other side struggling to stay afloat.
“Like a ghost town”
Along Division Street, storefronts that usually rely on steady cross-river traffic now sit quiet. Multiple business owners have posted signs highlighting the disruption caused by the ongoing construction.
What they’re saying:…