Port of entry rerouting affecting business

Traffic using the new Calexico west Port of Entry seems to have improved after a confusing start in which fender benders and various traffic violations were seen.

Imperial County Transportation Commission official Virginia Mendoza said they’re keeping a close eye on things and how the change is affecting traffic.

“We expected some lessons to be learned. We’re planning to assess the situation a bit closer once we have some input from the city stakeholders and city management staff informing us of how the plan has been working thus far.”

They’re looking into how it’s affecting traffic. “We will look into any amendment or any modification that may be necessary. Right now one of the big key factors is going to be having traffic controllers at those two intersections to be able to better manage the flow,” Mendoza said.

West side merchant Joong Kim said the traffic rerouting is not helping his business, but he remains hopeful.

“Not yet. Actually, negatively because people try to come from the other side of the town, they can’t come,” Kim said.
He’s waiting for the time when northbound traffic starts coming his way. “As a businessman, I cannot just be sitting down waiting for that. I do my best to try to call the customer to come in. Only will help, little help, when they open both sides, which is Imperial and Cesar Chavez,” Kim said.

C esar Chavez Boulevard will become the main route for southbound and northbound traffic coming from and going to Mexicali early next year.