Jefferson I-10 Interchange set to begin

Construction begins in at the end of the month for the new Jefferson I-10 Interchange in Indio. We are getting a detailed look at what it it will take to complete the $42.3 million project.

It will replace two freeway overpasses with one. Right now Jefferson Street dead-ends at Varner Road, by spring 2017, it will continue on up and over the freeway and become the center of the new interchange, but it will be quite a process to get there.

The current interchange was built over 40 years ago and drivers we talked to are ready for a change.

“The way it is now it’s kind of crazy the way you get off and go on, so you are actually coming off Indio boulevard, it’s kind of confusing,” said Valerie Bryant.

“Right now at the moment I see it as a burden to get on at five different places, but the new, what they are doing, is really cool,” said Kyle McGowan

No more stop signs, and fighting cross traffic. This single overpass is how cars will enter and exit I-10 at Jefferson by 2017.

“We are looking forward to it, to be able to get right on the freeway it will be a good thing,” said McGowan.

The existing bridge and northbound Indio Boulevard over-crossing will be demolished and replaced with new six-lane bridge with bicycle lanes and a sidewalk. Off-ramps will be realigned and new two-lane loop on-ramps will be added for both directions.

“At the time one lane in each direction served the communities but, we’ve outgrown most of the 60’s improvements and now we need to bring them into the modern era,” said project coordinator Dennis Green.

Crews will break ground March 20th, but drivers won’t see any detours until late spring early summer after Coachella and Stagecoach.

“We are going to build all of the temporary detours, have them up and operational before we close any of the existing ramps or features,” said Green.

Once the detours begin, you can check their progress online.

“We are going to have a camera, two cameras on both sides of the freeway so you can watch and participate in the construction, know what is happening before you leave home,” said Green.

Drivers we talked to are still bracing for the worst.

“I think it’s going to be pretty much congested because it’s pretty much the only way to Indio…just that one side and that’s it. Otherwise you have to go all the way around,” said Dave Evans.

“That is a downfall but we have Washington street right here,” said McGowan.

“We will just have to work around it I guess, but that’s what you do for progress I guess,” said Bryant.

For a detailed look at the plans and progress on the construction project click here.