City of La Quinta to consider new bicycle connection, reduced speed limits along Eisenhower Drive

The City of La Quinta reviewed options for a "Road Diet' along Eisenhower Drive. The plan will be used to reduce speed, provide a bicycle connection, and increase safety on Eisenhower Drive south of Calle Sinaloa. Several options were considered during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 16th.

One option proposed is to reduce Eisenhower Drive south of Calle Sinaloa to one drive lane in each direction.

Supporters say this will allow for the inclusion of a striped buffered bike lane adjacent to the existing parking lane in each direction. This will also create adjacent side street intersections to cross one drive lane in each direction instead of two and allow vehicles to encroach further into the roadway, after yielding to pedestrians and bicycles, to determine when it is safe to enter Eisenhower Drive.

There will also be additional buffers from the drive lane for vehicles to park. The proposed option will look similar to the striping between Calle Sinaloa and Calle Tampico.

Opponents say the plan would bring too much police enforcement to the area, and would be a waste of city funds.

The city council voted give additional time to collect data, public feedback, and ideas. The council will reconsider the 'Road Diet' plan again in six months.