Rancho Mirage rejects CV Link path and plan

The plan for the proposed CV Link has hit a bump in the road.The route would provide a path for pedestrians, bicyclists and low-speed electric vehicles to travel throughout the Coachella Valley.

The city of Rancho Mirage has an issue with the CV Link’s path as well as what it will cost to maintain in the future.

“You can’t build a building and give it to somebody and say you have to maintain it for the next 200 years of its life without telling you how much it’s going to cost and allow you the choice to say yes or no,” said Rancho Mirage Mayor, Dana Hobart.

The CV Link is spearheaded by the Coachella Valley Assosiation of Governments, or CVAG. It said it will continue towork with the city of Rancho Mirage to find a solution that works for everyone.

“We’ve been working with Rancho Mirage for two years on an alternate route and a good route through that community,” said Tom Kirk of CVAG. “Only recently have they said please don’t connect to our library, and please don’t take people off of Highway 111.”

Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit said he believes the CV Link will bring the Coachella Valley together and he won’t give up.

“There are other options that are going to be considered if we have to go around Rancho Mirage or it just doesnt go through Rancho Mirage,” said Beniot. “I hope we don’t get to that point. But, we will have a bike, low speed vehicle, pedestrian path in the Coachella Valley.”

They will meet again to discuss the future of the CV Link on June 1.