Neighbors react to surge in traffic amid Rodeo Week
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The California Rodeo Salinas is wrapping up tonight, and while the event brings a lot of fun, it also brings a lot of traffic troubles for neighbors.
Over the last few days, the California Rodeo Salinas has welcomed thousands of fans each night, leading to increased traffic along North Main Street.
“It's just that the infrastructure is a little bit limited, which makes it a little harder for everybody,” said Albert Gomez. “You gotta go through the back roads, but even the backroads are a little bit tough to get around.”
Albert, like many others, opted to park in the neighboring residential area, in hopes of avoiding traffic in and out of other parking lots. He adds he sees traffic build up every year. Something that people who live near the rodeo grounds seem to be used to.
“Bueno si afecta, como es calle principal,” Angel Morales lives a few streets down from the Sports Complex, and said he has gotten used to the traffic and people finding street parking, so he searches for alternative routes when leaving his home.
“I feel like there is less traffic in front of the rodeo grounds this year because of the shuttle service,” said another Rodeo attendee. “It definitely helped the impact that it has on Main Street. I think it was a good idea to create a different parking spot for people so that they can funnel the people in a little safer.”
This year, a shuttle service was put in place to help with the reduced parking availability.
“We're able to move at least 800 to 1,000 people from that lot with free parking. And it's about a 15-minute bus ride,” said Jerry Bunker, director of logistics with the California Rodeo Salinas.
Jerry adds that this year's pilot shuttle program allowed them to expand their capacity since many of their available lots are designated for competitors.
“We've had to go to off-site parking. We use many of the lots just around the exterior of the property. We also park about 2200 cars here.”
He adds that future strategic plans are in the works to further address the limited parking and traffic issues.
Organizers say so far, the shuttle program has received positive feedback, and they will decide in the next few months whether to bring it back next year.
The California Rodeo Salinas reports that 62 thousand people attended their annual event in 2024. This year they project reaching 68 thousand attendees after having sold out on Wednesday and Friday.
