Bob Hope Interchange Opens To Traffic Friday
On Friday, Caltrans and SEMA Construction will host the opening of the new Bob Hope Interchange, which connects Rancho Mirage and Thousand Palms to Interstate 10 .
It took nearly 2 years to complete the structure at a cost of $25.5 million, according to the Coachella Valley Corridor Improvement Project.
The project added a new overpass, just west of Ramon Road near the Agua Caliente Resort Casino, extending Bob Hope Drive with eight lanes for vehicles to use.
“Valley residents are excited to see this bridge open after 19 months of construction,” said Caltrans District 8 Director Dr. Ray Wolfe. “The opening of this bridge should relieve local traffic congestion and make travel through this area much easier and efficient.”
A ceremony officially opening the interchange will take place at 9 a.m. Caltrans and SEMA Construction said they expect local elected officials, the Coachella Valley Associated Governments, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Riverside County, and The Cahuilla Band of Mission Indians representatives to be there.
Guests will include Tom Kirk, Coachella Valley Associated Governments; Anne Mayer, Riverside County Transportation Commission and Richard Milanovich, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
The bridge will open to traffic soon afterward at 1 p.m., said a project spokesman. The westbound on-ramp to I-10 and the eastbound off-ramp to Bob Hope Drive will open immediately, and the other two ramps will remain closed for final work.
