Cathedral City Moves Forward with Road Repair Plans After Tropical Storm Hilary Damage

Nearly two years after Tropical Storm Hilary caused extensive damage across the Coachella Valley, Cathedral City is taking steps toward repairing one of its most heavily traveled roads. The City Council has approved a $380,000 agreement with HR Green Pacific Inc. to develop design plans for a section of Date Palm Drive between Vista Chino and Los Gatos Road.

City Engineer Armando Garcia Baldizzone says the design phase will include field investigations and drainage improvements, aiming to ensure the road remains open even during severe weather. Federal funding from the Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program will provide $3 million to cover design, repairs, and construction for that section.

Officials have also expanded the project to include the stretch between Los Gatos Road and 30th Avenue, which will be funded locally while the city seeks additional support.

Design work is expected to begin next month and wrap up by next spring, but residents may have to wait until late 2026 or early 2027 before construction begins. Local drivers like Valeria Verdugo, who commutes along Date Palm Drive daily, say the repairs are long overdue.

“I think it was about time,” Verdugo said. “There’s a lot of bumps, and at night you can barely see the lines—it’s tough to drive.”

City leaders hope the improvements will not only fix current damage but also make major roadways more resilient against future storms.