Santa Cruz's Murray Street Bridge partially reopens

The bridge was closed for 7 months of construction work.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 7:39pm

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The Murray Street Bridge in Santa Cruz, California partially reopened on Wednesday after being closed for 7 months of construction work. Crews spent the morning clearing the eastbound lane of the bridge before allowing commuters to use it on a temporary basis.

Why it matters

The Murray Street Bridge is a critical transportation link in Santa Cruz, connecting the downtown area to the beach and other neighborhoods. Its closure has caused significant traffic disruptions and inconvenience for local residents and businesses.

The details

The bridge was closed in June 2025 for a major renovation project that included structural repairs, seismic upgrades, and improvements to pedestrian and bicycle access. While the eastbound lane has now reopened, the westbound lane remains closed as construction continues.

  • The Murray Street Bridge was closed in June 2025 for construction.
  • The eastbound lane of the bridge partially reopened on Wednesday, January 29, 2026.

The players

Murray Street Bridge

A bridge in Santa Cruz, California that connects the downtown area to the beach and other neighborhoods.

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The takeaway

The partial reopening of the Murray Street Bridge is a welcome relief for Santa Cruz residents who have had to deal with the inconvenience of the bridge's closure for the past 7 months. However, the construction work is still ongoing, and the full reopening of the bridge is not expected until later this year.