City stops plans to re-route traffic away from business area

Calexico’s plans to close Second Street to Mexico-bound traffic along Imperial Avenue and re-route it to Cesar Chavez Boulevard was met with strong opposition by local merchants.

Louie Wong, restaurant owner, said, ” We’re going to have less exposure to our customers. Not only me, but the casa de cambio across the street, the gas stations and some grocery stores. ”

Wong said the move would kill business along the avenue and hurt the city economically.

” Less sales tax. We have to survive. We have to make some money. We have to support the city, ” Wong said.

Mayor Bill Hodge said the re-routing was to give first responders, fire department and police, quick access to emergencies on both sides of the busy avenue.

” I’m very concerned about Imperial business being hit hard. That’s why, overall I was not for closing Second Street but Tuesday’s meeting opened my eyes and made me entertain the seriousness of public safety, ” Hodge said.

Several options are being considered. They are not quick fixes.

“Keeping Second Street open, creating a middle lane where the fire and police could exclusively use,” Hodge said.

A temporary compromise was reached during Tuesday’s special meeting with local merchants. This meant Second Street would continue being open to Mexico-bound traffic, as well as Cesar Chavez Boulevard. Re-routing changes would apply only to special peak-traffic periods, for the time being.

“When it comes to peak hours or peak periods in the year like Christmas, we will close up Second Street,” Hodge said.