I-Team investigation: Uniting the Link
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments is heading a push to win more than $50 million in state funding to expand the CV Link. The money would help take the path into Desert Hot Springs, and more of Palm Desert and the east valley.
Local leaders say this is also a really good time to win state money to help pay for the expansions.
The state money would come from Caltrans and it’s Active Transportation Program. It’s a fund that swelled this year due to new revenue from Senate Bill 1, the new 12-cent per gallon gasoline tax state lawmakers pushed through last year.
Caltrans Director Laurie Berman said, “You know SB 1 is a transportation bill. So we’re looking at all modes of transportation.” Berman added, “We’re spending a lot on fixing the freeway system, but there’s a lot of congestion relief, inter-city rail, and the active transportation program.”
We looked at the numbers. Caltrans awarded 240-million dollars in Active Transportation Program, or ATP funding, in its last cycle two years ago. This year, it’s looking to award a lot more, upwards of $440 million.
The state has made no secret in promoting SB 1, and that it’s providing a lot of new money for transportation projects. Caltrans has sent out a number of news releases detailing accelerated repairs and construction credited to additional revenue from of SB 1.
In Desert Hot Springs, CVAG applied for $22.28 million for a 15-mile route from the current CV Link trail north to Palm Drive, west on Mission Lakes Boulevard to Little Morongo Road, then south back to Dillion Road, and east back to Palm Drive.
Indio Mayor, Michael Wilson said, “You have to go after the money when the money is available. When the grants are there.”
I obtained the City of Desert Hot Springs ATP application which details the path’s exact route, how it would help the community and its how it’s going to be financed.
Wilson also serves on the Riverside County Transportation Committee and the South Coast Association of Governments. He says extending the path to Desert Hot Springs is a ‘must.’
Wilson said, “This connection would be huge, not only for CV Link and the whole length of the project but for the community of Desert Hot Springs and what they mean to the bigger picture of the region and the rest of the cities.”
CVAG documents show the City of Palm Desert is applying for $3.2 million ATP dollars for a much shorter Community Connector. This path would run south on San Pablo Avenue from Magnesia Falls to Fred Waring Drive. It would deliver people to the city’s Vision San Pablo project. The project total there is $4.5 million.
Our area’s biggest grant application is in the east valley for the Avenue 48 Community Connector. It has now been rebranded as the Arts and Music Line. It would run from La Quinta, east through Indio, and into Coachella. The request to Caltrans is $24.989 million.
Coachella Mayor, Steven Hernandez said, “If we don’t apply, that money will go elsewhere, so we have to stay competitive.”
Hernandez, Wilson, and Indio’s Mayor Linda Evans recently walked along the proposed route in Coachella. They agree the bike and pedestrian-friendly pathway would tie their communities together.
Evans said, “Having more options for our already active-living individuals that live here and visit here, it’s a natural fit.”
The 10-mile Arts and Music Line would run from the current CV Link route just east of Jefferson Street, down to Avenue 48, then west to Washington Street and east all the way to Dillion Road and the casinos. A shorter stretch would also connect to La Quinta’s Bear Creek Trail from Washington Street.
“A path at Madison Street would connect to Avenue 48, allowing Stagecoach and Coachella festival-goers to go east or west to where ever they’re staying– all the while on a safe, protected path– divided from traffic.”
Evans said, “We’re a valley of festivals. And between the Coachella Valley Music Fest and Stagecoach, just being able to add the art and color elements, it just speaks to what all our cities represent anyway.”
I obtained CVAG artist visualizations of the project. The Arts and Music line pathway is envisioned to play music recorded by local students as people pass by. Mayor Evans notes the bright colors and safety barriers for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Hernandez said, “It’s an overall improvement to our constituency, the pedestrian in terms of them being able to walk to and from the grocery stores, or to the parks, or to a place of employment.”
It’s much-needed infrastructure Hernandez says the east valley needs.
We won’t know if any or all of these projects will be funded until late December when the state announces its latest Active Transportation Program winners and losers.
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