Monster music stars at America’s top festival and the massive crowds descending on the quiet desert town of Indio are forcing the city to launch a major construction project that will widen a two-mile stretch of roadway.
But if you’ve already bought those pricey tickets for the April festival, city officials are promising that the construction project won’t get in your way as work will be suspended during the two-weekend festival.
In addition to the road widening, pavement and traffic signals along the street will also be replaced in the project slated to begin Tuesday.
Phase I of the $11.5 million project begins Tuesday on Highway 111 between Madison Street and Granada Drive. The project, tentatively set for completion around Thanksgiving 2018, will expand the road to three lanes in each direction from Madison to Rubidoux streets. The project also includes replacing pavement and six traffic signals, as well as upgrading nearly all sidewalks, drive approaches and access ramps along that stretch, according to the city. Drainage near Highway 111 and Monroe Street will also be improved to alleviate flooding, officials said.
The street will remain open during construction work, which will be conducted in several phases to minimize impacts to local traffic, city officials said. No businesses were expected to be affected by the work.
Construction will be halted for about a month beginning April 10 to accommodate the influx of visitors expected during the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, set for the weekends of April 13-15 and April 20-22. Work east of Monroe Street won’t begin until after the festival.
City leaders said the widened and improved thoroughfare is essential for the ever-growing city.
“These upgrades and improvements on Highway 111 are important for the future growth and development of Indio along this important corridor that connects us to all parts of the Coachella Valley,” Indio Mayor Michael H. Wilson said. “This will not only accommodate future traffic as we welcome thousands of new families and visitors each year to the largest and fastest growing city in eastern Riverside County, but it will beautify the roadway and make it safer for drivers and pedestrians.”
–City News Service