GALT, CA (MPG) - The typically bustling traffic on C Street has slowed to a one-way trickle in recent weeks as drivers avoid construction work on the thoroughfare.

Business owner Tami Tatar is keeping her spirits up despite the partial closure, which has blocked the two driveways closest to her store, Vintage Antiques & Uniques.

“I have a good, positive outlook because I can’t wait until it’s done,” she told the Herald while running the register.

Looking forward to completion of the revamped C Street, Tatar and nearby store owners want locals to know that they are still open for business.

Long in the works, the C Street Enhancements Project is intended to update and beautify the road, with a landscaped median, improved lighting, pedestrian and bike features, and other changes. The plans cover the section of road from Civic Drive to Sixth Street.

Phase 1 of the road work began about a month ago, allowing only westbound traffic, which moves on the south side of the street. When Phase 2 begins, work will move to the other side of the street but traffic will remain westbound only.

Kat Seabolt, community relations manager for the Galt District Chamber of Commerce, said businesses on C Street saw an initial drop in patronage when the closure started.

“We know that the construction project has caused a little bit of turbulence down there, but we want people to remember that those restaurants, shops, different businesses from insurance to banking, they all depend on our customers and for people to still continue to support them, especially during this construction season,” Seabolt said. Although the direct routes to many businesses are closed off or will be in the next phase, all of them are accessible from other streets, such as A Street, South Lincoln Way and Caroline Avenue.

To promote that idea, the city of Galt partnered with the chamber to launch the Shop, Drink, and Eat on C Street campaign, which offers prizes to those who support the area’s businesses. Participants who collect 15 receipts from eligible businesses can present them at the chamber office at 400 Fourth St., Suite 130, to receive a tote bag with the “Shop, Drink, and Eat on C Street” logo.

They will also be entered in a drawing to win one of 20 Stanley drink tumblers with the C Street branding.

Interim Community Development director Amie Mendes said city staff and the firm handling outreach for the project saw that the current street arrangement, with one-way traffic on the left side of the road, was discouraging visitors.

“Driving the wrong way down the road doesn’t really come naturally to them and so people were just avoiding C Street altogether,” Mendes said. 

Stores on nearby roads were also affected. So receipts can come from merchants along C Street, Fairway Drive, Market Street, South Lincoln Way and Fourth Street.

The city hopes a popular item such as a customized Stanley cup will motivate individuals to patronize the businesses. Local printers Express Type & Graphics developed the campaign logo. The city is also using its social media accounts to promote events and sales at affected businesses.

The local Ace Hardware on Sept. 14 held a party celebrating the company’s centennial, featuring a barbecue, a sale in the parking lot, face-painting and an adoption event with Wilton Animal Rescue.

Mary Lawrence, one of the Ace franchise owners, said her business has avoided major effects because of its location in view of the C Street-Civic Drive intersection.

“It has not impacted sales, which I’m really lucky for because the other businesses on C Street have been impacted,” Lawrence said.

Deputy Public Works director Trung Trinh provided an update on the road work.

Weather permitting, workers are on track to transition to Phase 2 in October, Trinh said. The contractor is installing underground infrastructure, as well as sidewalks, driveways and storm drains on the north side of C Street. 

Trinh said that, in the coming weeks, passersby will see pipe and concrete installation.

“Our project schedule is highly dependent on weather.  But I hope at the least to open traffic on both sides of C Street by the middle of December,” Trinh said.

Officials and business owners interviewed by the Herald were optimistic about the long-term effects of an updated C Street.

“Long term, we’re doing a lot to increase tourism and foot traffic into Galt and I think that once this project is completed, it’s going to do great, not just for the aesthetics but also the infrastructure that needed to be updated. It’s going to be a great improvement to our city,” Seabolt said.

Tatar of Vintage Antiques & Uniques said that the construction has impacted her business, but she commended the road workers, some of whom have visited her business to buy items.

Tatar has plans to spruce up her building to match the new look on C Street and she expressed gratitude for her patrons’ support.

“The customers have been excellent. The community has been excellent,” Tatar said.

To find updates on the C Street Enhancements Project, visit the project webpage at cstreetproject.org. For more information on the Shop, Drink, and Eat on C Street campaign, read the city’s announcement at bit.ly/4enMpfm (case sensitive) or follow the city’s social media accounts. H