Solutions in the works to prevent road closures in Palm Springs
In the past weeks, the City of Palm Springs has closed N. Gene Autry Trail and N. Indian Canyon Dr. several times due to blowing winds and sand.
Some people throughout the valley have been saying for years the road closures are a hazard, but there seems to be some signs of progress.
Councilmember Russell Betts, shares how road closures affect residents throughout the valley, particularly those from Desert Hot Springs.
"It's not just an inconvenience. It's really a life, health, and safety issue," says Betts.
Road closures can cause traffic delays, making it especially difficult for medical personnel to get into Palm Springs.
"Desert Regional is the closest hospital to Desert Hot Springs and if there's a trauma or emergency situation that's the quickest place to get to. The alternative is Eisenhower which is quite a bit further away," says Betts.
Betts tells me alternative routes can add up to 15 minutes to drive time, "Well, the alternative is to go down to I guess Date Palm and Vista Chino, which is a backed up, lots of traffic concerns there, or to go all the way up around on to Tipton road and down into Palm Springs that way."
In a recent staff report, obtained by News Channel 3, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments shared their next steps towards improving the roadways that are most affected by flooding and blowing sand.
The staff report, released Monday says, "On May 10, 2022, CVAG staff met with Cities of Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City and Palm Springs on the three projects to obtain input on the approach. Based on the feedback, CVAG plans to release a Request For Proposals (RFP) this June for professional engineering services.”
CVAG is making plans to build infrastructure along North Indian Canyon Road, Varner Road and Date Palm Drive.Additionally the staff report says, once engineering contracts are requested and approved, design work can start as early as October 2022.
