Road Construction Means Road Frustration In Desert Today
PALM DESERT AND RANCHO MIRAGE – Cars backed up for miles on Monterey Avenue did not sit well with people. Monterey between Gerald Ford and Frank Sinatra is reduced to one lane, causing bumper to bumper traffic. There were even a couple of fender benders.
“I think it’s a mess. It’s too time consuming and it’s dangerous,” says driver Cary Sena.
The construction is part of street improvements by the cities of Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert. Crews are widening and re-striping lanes to reduce traffic in the future, but it’s having the opposite effect now. Funding comes from taxes collected under measure a.
“Probably about three or four months and it’s a huge mess. It’s kind of hard to get to school and kind of hard to get my mom at work,” says driver Gianna Gullo.
“It’s difficult to get across town to the doctor’s offices on Cook and when we’re driving patients around it’s time consuming for them,” Sena says.
“It’s just been too long. It’s just been on and on. We live here year round. It’s pretty rough,” says driver Jean McDonough.
Eastbound Interstate10 is also going to be partially shut down for repair work. The recent rain storms damaged the road. Lane markers were re-paved causing a little confusion, so be careful and mind the markings. A Caltrans spokesperson says they hope to finish repairs since emergency funds will be used up. Sections of freeway still needing repairs will be handed over to normal maintenance crews. So if you commute on any of these paths, give yourself more time and plan ahead.
