Board clears way for interchange improvement project in Indio

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) - Riverside County supervisors today formally signed off on an interchange improvement project in Indio designed to ease congestion on Interstate 10 and improve traffic flows going into and out of the city.   

In a 4-0 vote without comment -- and Supervisor Jose Medina absent -- the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday cleared the way for the Monroe Street/Interstate 10 Interchange Project to move forward.   

The project has already passed muster with Caltrans, which found no evidence of significant adverse environmental impacts.   

The Riverside County Transportation & Land Management Agency is overseeing logistics and contractors, but the county has no financial obligations, with all future appropriations for the project originating from Indio and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, according to TLMA documents.  

Current barriers to groundbreaking are two private parcels whose owners have not yet settled negotiations with the county, which is proceeding with eminent domain property acquisitions to establish the easements, documents stated.

The interchange expansion and improvements will entail reconstruction of the Monroe Street on- and off-ramps from I-10, adding additional lanes for more efficient movement of vehicles. An auxiliary traffic lane will additionally be constructed on I-10 between Monroe and Jackson Street. The project area will encompass the freeway space and abutting land between the Coachella Valley Storm Channel and Avenue 42.

"The interchange is a major access point for existing development in the area,'' TLMA said. "No displacement or relocation of existing residents, businesses, farms, nonprofits or government services will occur as a result of this project."

The total project budget has yet to be determined, and contractor bids haven't been solicited as of December 2025.   

Once the easements have been acquired, the project's construction timeline will be established.