Metal Grating Grates On Some Resident’s Nerves

LA QUINTA- It’s a new metal grating– that protects motorists down below– from falling rocks above, but some residents say the new addition along Highway 111 in La Quinta is an eye-sore.

“I don’t like the way it takes away from the appearance of the mountain,” said resident Donna Munson.

But the Department of Public Works said it had to be done.

“The city bought extra netting to contour it to the rock slopes,” saidDirector Timothy Jonasson.”We also bought stain for the netting to match it so it would blend in.”

The city also installedindustrial strength chain link fence. In the end, they say it willbe hidden by an 8 foot stucco wall.

“If they do it, they have to do it for our protection,” said Munson.”That’s most important.”

And that’s exactly whyPublic Works officials say theyinstalled the two new additions. It’spart of a $1.2-millionproject to expand the stretch of Highway 111 fromtwo to threelanes in each direction. In August, the city chipped away unstable boulders.

Thirtyyears ago when Cal-Trans blasted through the mountain to make way for the pass, workers fractured the rock, giving La Quinta engineers the problems they have today.

“There have been rockfalls here in the past when it was 2 lanes,” said Jonasson.”Anytime we have a tremor rocks can fall off.”

Debbie Autry is a seasonal La Quinta resident from Long Beach. This is her first weekend trip in town, and didn’t notice the new additions.

“I think to manage traffic flow, it’s going to be worth it,” she said.”Is it pretty? No. Will we get used to it? Yes, like we get used to everything else.”

The highway widening project is said to be on budget and on schedule, and should be dcone in early December.