Little Morongo Road in Desert Hot Springs back open after Tropical Storm Hilary repairs
Five months after Tropical Storm Hilary destroyed the street, Little Morongo Road in Desert Hot Springs is back open.
Councilmember Russell Betts announced the street was back open on social media Monday morning.
City officials ask drivers to use caution when driving on the roadway as the contractor will continue to do shoulder work and final striping within the next three weeks.
On Aug. 20, 2023, Tropical Storm Hilary severely damaged N Indian Canyon Drive, Little Morongo, and Dillon Road.
A little over a week after the storm, a teenager was killed in a crash at a storm-related closure on Little Morongo Road.
Repairs started in November after the city council awarded four construction contracts costing a combined $8.1 million from state and federal funds.
City staff had originally projected Little Morongo to reopen by March 20.
According to city staff, Mission Creek received the equivalent of a 1,000-year storm event. Mission Creek crosses the entire city. The road closures had a major impact on traffic in the area.
"Right now there's absolutely no crossing at Mission Creek, it's completely gone," said Desert Hot Springs Assistant City Manager Daniel Porras on Sept. 20, 2023.
Indian Canyon Drive is expected to be repaired by the end of March, city officials said Monday.
Dillon Road is scheduled to be repaired by the end of April, according to the city.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
