Know Before You Go: Major Traffic Projects and Holiday Travel Alerts Across the Coachella Valley

As the Valley gears up for one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, Know Before You Go — in partnership with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments and the CV Sync traffic program — highlights the major projects and road hazards you’ll want to avoid.

Chris Gunterson, Program Manager at the CBC Traffic Management Center in Thousand Palms, joins us with updates starting in Palm Desert. The CVWD waterline project on Cook Street, originally expected to finish weeks ago, has been extended. Crews have completed pressure testing and will begin removing steel plates and filling trenches before paving starts December 1. Drivers should expect delays due to red-flash signals and heavy traffic control. The recommended alternate route is Washington Street or Portola Avenue.

In Palm Springs, work continues on the long-term South Palm Canyon Bridge Project, scheduled for completion in late 2026 or early 2027. Crews will be pouring concrete on the bridge deck over the next several weeks, bringing additional traffic control. Drivers are advised to use Ballardo Road, accessed via Sunny Dunes or Mesquite, to avoid major slowdowns.

In Indio, the intersection at Indio Boulevard and Clinton Street remains impacted after a vehicle collision destroyed a signal pole. The mast arm holding the traffic lights has been on order, and crews are hoping to begin installation early this week. In the meantime, stop signs are in place, and drivers are urged to stay alert — especially at night.

Another issue developed over the weekend at East Palm Canyon and Buddy Rogers in Cathedral City, where a vehicle crash knocked out the traffic signal. A temporary pole is expected to go up today, but until then, drivers will encounter dark signals and stop signs. The safest alternates include Mesquite, Dinah Shore, or Ramon Road for east-west travel.

Gunterson also shared a lighter moment, celebrating that he no longer has to wear the novelty hat he lost a bet over — thanks to the Firebirds defeating the Gulls on Friday. As the holidays approach, he urges drivers to slow down, put their phones away, and plan ahead to stay safe.

He also teased that Monday’s segment will include new details on this year’s Ironman traffic impacts.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.