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RANCHO MIRAGE -Construction is already underway on a new interchange at Ramon Road and Bob Hope Drive. Work started back on February 3rd.
Next week, more construction will begin at Palm Drive and Gene Autry Trail. Friday morning, there was an official groundbreaking on the two projects that will give drivers a little more breathing room.
“When they’re traveling home in the evening, trying to get off on Palm Drive into Desert Hot Springs or Palm Springs, it’s a heckuva challenge. There’s a huge amount of congestion. Same thing on Ramon. This interchange is a mess and we’re going to fix that and life is going to be a lot better,” said Tom Kirk, Executive Director for the Coachella Valley Association of Governments.
Changes at Ramon and Bob Hope will include an 8-lane bridge over I-10 with new on-and-off ramps — expected to cost $25.5 million.
At Palm and Gene Autry, there will be new ramps and a new 6-lane overcrossing with bike lanes.
Price tag — $17 million.
Officials say both these projects wouldn’t even be possible without stimulus funds.
“Without the influx of Recovery Act dollars, these projects would languish because the state is not selling bonds,” said Caltrans Director Randy Iwasaki.
Stimulus cash will cover $34 million of the estimated $42.5 million to get the projects done.
“Building now is a lot cheaper than building two or three years ago. Our bid prices came in about 40% less than expected,” said Kirk. “We’re saving millions in taxpayer money. Additionally, putting people to work now couldn’t come at a better time.”
The projects will provide about 850 jobs.
They may also provide added frustration for drivers trying to maneuver around work zones.
“We’re going to try to do it overnight so it’s not impacting the bridges and crossings.. try to make it as painless for citizens and our tourists,” said Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet.
The Ramon/Bob Hope interchange is expected to be completed in the winter of 2011. The Palm/Gene Autry interchange will finish in February 2012.
Over the next couple of years, more interchange projects are expected to start at Indian Canyon, Date Palm and Monterey.
