7-week road project will affect traffic on Vista Chino
A six-mile stretch of roadway that runs through Palm Springs was reduced to one lane on Monday, which will remain the same for the next several weeks, as crews begin a nearly two-month, $1.53 million road repair project, officials with Caltrans announced last week.
KESQ and CBS Local 2 hadn’t heard many complaints the first couple of days of the construction project, but traffic did build up on Wednesday, causing some pretty long delays for drivers on Vista Chino.
The gridlock near the intersection of Gene Autry Trail and Vista Chino is expected to continue for seven weeks.
The road is being dug out, repaired and will have a layer of slurry seal applied over the course of seven weeks, during which time drivers will have to funnel into one lane through the construction zone.
The simple things like running errands and getting to work are becoming much harder for some drivers. And the construction is also causing some problems for local businesses.
Greg Mandinach owns Palm Springs Plumbing, located in the midst of Wednesday’s traffic jam.
“It’s an inconvenience during the morning commute. It bumper-to-bumper. Takes them [drivers] probably a half an hour from the freeway to here, and probably an extra 20 minutes coming in the other direction,” Mandinach said.
Another nearby business owner, Pasha Nadvi, is currently remodeling and said one of his shipments is now delayed because of the construction.
Work is underway at District Center Drive and Gene Autry Trail, just east of the Palm Springs International Airport, and it will span northwest along E Vista Chino, ending at W Gateway Drive.
Construction will take place weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Many stuck in traffic were wondering why repairs were scheduled during a busy time of year. Officials with Caltrans said contractors have to begin working within 15 days of the project being approved, and it’s often based on when the contractor is available.
Despite the inconvenience, Mandinach said he knows there’s never a convenient time for construction.
“Whether you do it at night, someone is inconvenienced, or you do it during the day, someone is inconvenienced, but it has to get done,” Mandinach added.
But with the work just getting underway, many know this traffic headache isn’t going to go away immediately. You should avoid Gene Autry and Vista Chino in the area for the time being, if you can, or allow extra time to get to where you’re going.
KESQ and CBS Local 2 reached out to the city of Palm Springs to find out what role they have in scheduling these road projects. City officials said the decision is made solely by Caltrans.
