Agua Caliente looks to help improve Cathedral City roads with $2.15M

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is going to provide up to $2.15 million in transportation funding for road improvement projects in Cathedral City.

Officials made the announcement Wednesday morning.

According to the release, the Tribal Transportation Program funding will help pay for the Ramon Road Bridge Widening ($1.15 million) and Vista Chino Roadway Resurfacing ($1 million) projects.

Ramon Road Bridge Widening: This project will widen and reconstruct Ramon Road to six lanes between San Luis Rey and Landau Boulevard, including the bridge over Whitewater Wash. Project budget is estimated at $36 million and could be under construction as early as 2018.

Vista Chino Roadway Resurfacing: This project will resurface and add desert landscape medians to Vista Chino between Whitewater Wash and Date Palm Drive. Project budget is estimated at $3 million and could be under construction as soon as late summer/fall of 2016.

“It’s important that streets are accessible and well-maintained,” Tribal Chairman Jeff L. Grubbe said. “The Tribe has been a leader in providing funding to help transform city streets. We have long supported road improvements that enhance major transportation routes that intersect with the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. In fact, we have provided $10.4 million in Tribal Transportation Project funding for eight projects throughout Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Cathedral City over the past six years.”

On December 9, the Cathedral City Council will consider approving the official documentation to accept transportation funding from the Tribe.

“The City of Cathedral City is grateful for the Tribe’s offer to support the main transportation artery improvements that benefit the lives of all of our residents,” Mayor Stan Henry said. “Working together in partnership on these two major projects would allow us an opportunity to better expedite the necessary repairs and enhance our existing transportation infrastructure. I look forward to considering the Memorandum of Understanding at the next city council meeting.”