28th annual Tour de Palm Springs to result in numerous street closures

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - The 28th annual Tour de Palm Springs will bring possibly thousands of bicyclists to the downtown area this Saturday, prompting numerous street closures.

The event, themed "Honoring Military, First Responders and Veterans,'' will span the Coachella Valley with a number of routes available for riders of all levels.

Motorists and residents should plan ahead for "significant street closures and street impacts'' on Friday and Saturday, city officials said.   

Street closures will include:   

-- South Palm Canyon Drive from Baristo Road to Tahquitz Canyon Way will be closed to vehicle traffic from 6 a.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday.   

-- Arenas Road will be closed on the east and west sides of Palm Canyon Drive for event setup.

-- Tahquitz Canyon Way will be closed at 5 a.m. Saturday from Palm Canyon Drive to Indian Canyon Drive for the departure of the riders.   

-- Indian Canyon Drive northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane of vehicle traffic and one lane of riders heading northbound.   

La Quinta officials said a portion of the CV Link pathway will be temporary closed from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday from Fred Waring Drive to Airport Boulevard.

The event has raised nearly $5 million for more than 150 local nonprofit organizations in the Coachella Valley since 1998, officials said.   

Honorary guests will be Frankie Andreu -- a retired professional cyclist who has competed in nine Tour de France races -- and Bill and Deanna Young, who has served as board members for the Salvation Army since 2005.   

Tour de Palm Springs will start at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, with the final group of walkers set to depart at 10 a.m. The event will be held through 5 p.m. Saturday.

More information on the routes and schedule can be found at tourdepalmsprings.com.