Agua Caliente Band announces plans for $2.15 million in Cathedral City transportation funding

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians announced an effort to fund $2.15 million of road improvements in Cathedral City Wednesday.

“It’s important that streets are accessible and well-maintained,” Tribal Chairman Jeff L. Grubbe said in a statement issued by the Agua Calientes. “We have long supported road improvements that enhance major transportation routes that intersect with the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation,” Grubbe said.

The Tribal Transportation Program funding is set to help contribute $1.15 million toward the $36 million project to widen and reconstruct Ramon Road to six lanes between San Luis Rey and Landau Boulevard.

The project would include a new bridge over the Whitewater River wash.

The tribe would also kick in $1 million toward the $3 million project to resurface and add desert landscape medians to Vista Chino between the Whitewater wash and Date Palm Drive.

The Vista Chino project could begin next year.

The Ramon project could begin in 2018.

Cathedral City Council members will consider the Tribe’s offer for funding next Wednesday.

Grubbe said the tribe has provided $10.4 million in transportation project funding throughout Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Cathedral City over the past six years.