Traffic on a busy section of De la Vina Street in Santa Barbara will change to southbound only on Thursday as the city begins replacing the bridge over Mission Creek, and nearby businesses are wondering what that means for them.

Construction is expected to last two years for the new seismically-safe bridge, located near the intersection of De la Vina Street and Vernon Road, just north of Alamar Avenue. Vehicle detours will be in place the entire time to allow workers to complete construction.

Jorge Alvarez, a manager for Fatte’s Pizza at 2840 De la Vina St., Suite B, said he doesn’t think the traffic change will have a major impact on customers or his ability to deliver pizzas. He added that the shopping center has multiple exits, and he avoids De la Vina Street when he’s working.

“I don’t think it’s going to affect us at all. It’s going to affect people trying to get to work on time, but as far as the business, I don’t think that can affect us,” Alvarez said.

He added that traffic is already bad on the street and that he doesn’t think the one-way lane change will make it worse. He said he is more concerned about how fast traffic moves and drivers who don’t watch for pedestrians.

“I noticed sometimes you’ll hear cars screeching their tires because people are going across and they’re not even paying attention,” Alvarez said.

Others said they’re not sure what will happen during the next two years and have already seen some declines in business since construction started last month.

Pierre and Nelly Henry own Bree’osh Bakery Café on the corner of Alamar Avenue and De la Vina Street. They have been at the location for five years and own another bakery in Montecito.

The couple say their main concern with the project is the effect that construction will have on parking. The bakery, located about 500 feet from the bridge, has little parking. Many of its customers park on the street near the shop.

Pierre Henry said it is too soon to know whether the traffic change will have a major effect. However, he knows that there are many other options in Santa Barbara and is worried that the noise and dust will drive away customers.

He said the couple’s other location in Montecito also has been affected by traffic because of the Highway 101 widening project.

Despite the possible impact on their bakery, Pierre Henry said he understands that the bridge needs to be replaced and he respects the city’s decision.

“I think we just need to get used to it, and we don’t want to complain about the work here and there, because overall, this is for the good of the city and for the good of the community,” he said.

Construction is scheduled to take place Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The City of Santa Barbara took over four properties by eminent domain in 2022 in order to replace the old bridge over Mission Creek. That included Marty’s Pizza at 2733 De la Vina St.; Yellow Bird Music, then at 2726 De la Vina St.; De la Vina Liquor at 2735 De la Vina St.; and Mishay Salon at 2728 De la Vina St.

For more information on the project and to sign up for updates, visit De La Vina Street Bridge Over Mission Creek Replacement Project at santabarbaraca.gov/DLVBridge.