Indian Canyon bridge closure brings delays as drivers hope for long-term fix
Luis Avila
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A major route in and out of Palm Springs is shut down this week. North Indian Canyon Drive is closed between Palm Springs Station Road and Garnet Avenue, a closure that began early Monday at 2 a.m. and will continue through Thursday.
For many residents, including Blanca Torres, the closure has created longer and more complicated commutes.
“Right now, it makes it very complicated for us. We need to go around many times to go to work and other places.”
Blanca Torres, North Palm Springs Residents
The project behind the closure will widen the bridge on Indian Canyon Drive and is part of a larger effort to improve the reliability of the corridor, which is frequently shut down due to flooding or blowing sand.
Joel Montalvo, Palm Springs City Engineer, says while the short-term inconvenience is frustrating, the work is necessary.
“We want folks to understand and hopefully be patient with us. These closures are required. We know that folks get really upset when they have to go around. It takes a little bit longer.”
Joel Montalvo, Palm Springs City Engineer
Dirk Voss, Desert Hot Springs Council member, emphasizes that the project has significant implications for his community, where most residents depend on the route daily.
“Seventy percent of our workforce leaves the city and goes into Palm Springs or south of the freeway. The fewer times we have to close Indian Canyon because of sand, wind, etc., the better.”
Dirk Voss, Desert Hot Springs Council Member
He noted that limited access points into Desert Hot Springs make reliability on Indian Canyon a matter of both convenience and safety.
Despite weekend rainfall, the city confirms the weather did not affect the project’s timeline.
Drivers traveling between Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs are urged to use alternate routes until the project wraps up later this week.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.