Indian Canyon Dr closing overnight on Thursday for stage 1 of widening project
N Indian Canyon Drive will be closed at the Whitewater Wash Thursday night through Friday morning as part of stage 1 of a project to widen the bridge from two lanes to six lanes.
The key roadway will be closed on Thursday, November 30, from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Friday, December 1, between Sunrise Parkway and Garnet Avenue.
Officials advise that you use alternate routes during construction hours to avoid delays.
Construction crews will work overnight to restripe and realign Indian Canyon Drive as part of Stage 1 of the Indian Canyon Drive Widening Project. The speed through the construction zone has been reduced to 25 mph, and the intersection at Palm Springs Station Road will continue to be a 4-way stop intersection.
Palm Springs will widen the North Indian Canyon Bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad. The city approved over $10 million in federal funds for the project in July.
The new six-lane Indian Canyon bridge will include a railed pedestrian sidewalk, enhancing safety and accessibility. The improvements to Indian Canyon Drive include raising the road and constructing a landscaped median, new sidewalks and drainage, new concrete and asphalt pavement and a sewer upgrade.
The City will also be expanding utilities through the newly constructed bridge.
For more information about the Indian Canyon Drive Widening Project, visit www.indiancanyonproject.com.
This isn't the same as the other bridge in the works along N Indian Canyon Drive. That project, which is currently in the works, would see a new bridge along the wash area, which is consistently closed due to weather.
Courtesy Michael Baker International
N Indian Canyon Drive is currently open at two lanes as repairs continue following Tropical Storm Hilary.
The storm once again spurred local leaders to once again call for state and federal funding to construct the bridge.
The most recent proposal for the bridge comes with a cost of approximately $74 million.
To alleviate the financial burden, the Coachella Valley Association of Government applied for a $50 million grant in July. The remaining funds would be sourced from local and regional budgets.
In November, the California Transportation Commission recommended approving the funding, however, the decision will be finalized at the CTC's Dec. 6 meeting.
“For over 20 years, we’ve been trying to get money from the federal or state governments for an approach that keeps Indian Canyon open during flooding and blowsand events,” said Palm Springs Councilmember Lisa Middleton. “Working alongside Mayor Matas, Mayor Garner and colleagues across the region, we’ve made personal pleas to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Infrastructure Advisor Antonio Villaraigosa, Rep. Ken Calvert and anyone else who would listen and could help us secure funds. The staff recommendation is a signal that Sacramento is finally hearing and responding to our concerns.”
Many have been hoping for that project to get quickly underway as the roadway is consistently closed due to weather. Most of the times the roadway is closed due to high winds, which cause low visibility and sand buildup, but, it is also known to flood in the rare instances of rain in the desert.
The closures are a headache to drivers looking to get in and out of Palm Springs, as well as ambulances looking for a quicker way to Desert Regional Medical Center, the only level 1 trauma center in the area.
Last summer, I-Team investigator Jeff Stahl took an in-depth look at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments' plans to build some short bridges and culverts through the Whitewater Wash on Indian Canyon Drive along with two other major roadway connectors.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
