Ground Broken On New Interchange Project On Interstate 10
KESQ.com News Services
THOUSAND PALMS -Riverside County and Palm Springs officials will mark today the groundbreaking of two freeway interchange projects intended to ease traffic congestion in the Coachella Valley.
The 10 a.m. ceremony will be held at the southwest coroner of Bob Hope Drive and Ramon Road, where initial work on an interchange to replace the current Ramon Road exit has already begun, said Amy Blaisdell, a Palm Springs spokeswoman.
An 11:30 a.m. open house will follow the ceremony at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Blaisdell said.
Work is expected to begin March 1 on the Gene Autry Interchange, which will include a new six-lane overcrossing, new ramps and a widening of the bridge over the railroad.
Construction on a new six-lane overcrossing for Indian Canyon Drive is set to begin later this year. Additional improvement projects are slated for Date Palm Drive in Cathedral City, Monterey Avenue in Palm Desert and Jefferson Street in Indio.
“These interchange improvements are important to Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley — and will not only create much needed new jobs, but also reduce congestion and improve our air quality,” said Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, who is expected to attend.
Also expected to attend the ceremony are Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit, the Palm Springs City Council and representatives of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and the Riverside County Transportation Commission.
Benoit said the Ramon Road interchange is estimated to cost around $25.5 million, while the Gene Autry Trail project should cost around $17 million.
“These six major projects arrive at an opportune time, creating 2,200 new jobs and supporting hundreds more with additional benefits to our local economy,” Benoit said.
The Gene Autry Trail project will receive $10.5 million in federal stimulus funds, according to the Riverside County Transportation Department.