El Paseo Capital Improvement Project

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About the Project

Beginning June 16, 2025, the City of Palm Desert will launch a major capital improvement project on El Paseo, the city's premier shopping and dining corridor. This project includes roadway resurfacing and pedestrian safety enhancements along El Paseo from Highway 74 easterly to Highway 111 (at Cabrillo).

The goal of this project is to improve the driving experience while making El Paseo safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians. Enhancements include repaving the roadway and installing three new raised pedestrian crosswalks using durable, attractive paver stones. The existing raised crosswalks will be removed and replaced to match the three new raised crosswalks. These improvements are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to support a vibrant, accessible, and pedestrian-friendly downtown.

Update - June 6, 2025

As of Wednesday, June 4, all dining decks on El Paseo have been temporarily removed to accommodate construction. Restaurants will be allowed to add dining decks to the road after construction is complete in October.


How You'll Be Affected by Construction

We understand that construction can be disruptive, and we’re committed to minimizing impacts wherever possible. Here’s what merchants, residents, and visitors can expect:

  • Business Access: All businesses along El Paseo will remain open throughout construction. Clear signage and pathways will help guide customers safely to your door.

  • Parking: On-street parking will be temporarily restricted near active construction zones to allow space for equipment and maintain two-way traffic.

  • Traffic Flow: Two-way traffic will be maintained on the side of the street not under construction.

  • Dining Decks: All on-street dining decks will be temporarily removed beginning June 1 to prepare for roadway resurfacing.

  • Pedestrian Access: Sidewalk access will be maintained. Construction crews will work to ensure safe, walkable routes are available at all times.

  • Noise & Dust: Some noise and dust should be expected, but work will be staged and managed to minimize disruption to daily life and commerce.

We appreciate your patience and partnership as we make El Paseo safer, smoother, and more inviting.


Project Timeline

The project will be completed in five carefully staged phases from west to east. Each phase is designed to reduce disruption by focusing construction efforts on one section of the street at a time:

  • Phase 1: South side of El Paseo, from Highway 74 to San Pablo Avenue (Shown in red)

  • Phase 2: North side of El Paseo from Highway 74 to San Pablo Avenue (shown in yellow)

  • Phase 3: South side of El Paseo from San Pablo Avenue to Portola Avenue (shown in green)

  • Phase 4: North side of El Paseo, from San Pablo Avenue to Portola Avenue (shown in blue)

  • Phase 5: South side of El Paseo from Portola Avenue to Highway 111 (shown in grey)

  • Phase 6: North side of El Paseo, from Portola Avenue to Highway 111 (shown in orange)

Construction is expected to be complete by the end of September 2025.

The construction schedule is subject to change as the project progresses.


Pedestrian Safety Upgrades

Three new raised crosswalks will be installed as part of this project to increase visibility and encourage slower vehicle speeds:

  • Between Ocotillo Drive and Sage Lane

  • Between Sage Lane and Lupine Lane

  • Between San Luis Rey Avenue and Portola Avenue

These crosswalks will feature attractive paver stones and act as visual and physical cues to elevate pedestrian safety.



Presidents Plaza #3 Improvements Planned for This Summer

This summer, the City of Palm Desert will begin maintenance work on Presidents Plaza #3, located between Sage Lane and Highway 74, bordered by El Paseo and Highway 111.

The project will include a slurry seal treatment and re-striping of the parking areas, helping to preserve the pavement and enhance the overall appearance and functionality of the lot.

To minimize disruptions and ensure continued parking availability during the El Paseo Rehabilitation Project, this work has been carefully scheduled to take place while the El Paseo street construction project is focused on the area between San Pablo Avenue and Portola Avenue.

The Presidents Plaza #3 improvements are expected to take approximately one week to complete. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we continue to invest in the infrastructure that supports our residents, businesses, and visitors.



Questions or Concerns?

If you have questions about the El Paseo project or would like to report a construction-related issue, we’re here to help.

Please use the feedback tool at the bottom of this page to submit your questions or concerns directly to our project team. We’ll make every effort to respond quickly and keep you informed.

About the Project

Beginning June 16, 2025, the City of Palm Desert will launch a major capital improvement project on El Paseo, the city's premier shopping and dining corridor. This project includes roadway resurfacing and pedestrian safety enhancements along El Paseo from Highway 74 easterly to Highway 111 (at Cabrillo).

The goal of this project is to improve the driving experience while making El Paseo safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians. Enhancements include repaving the roadway and installing three new raised pedestrian crosswalks using durable, attractive paver stones. The existing raised crosswalks will be removed and replaced to match the three new raised crosswalks. These improvements are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to support a vibrant, accessible, and pedestrian-friendly downtown.

Update - June 6, 2025

As of Wednesday, June 4, all dining decks on El Paseo have been temporarily removed to accommodate construction. Restaurants will be allowed to add dining decks to the road after construction is complete in October.


How You'll Be Affected by Construction

We understand that construction can be disruptive, and we’re committed to minimizing impacts wherever possible. Here’s what merchants, residents, and visitors can expect:

  • Business Access: All businesses along El Paseo will remain open throughout construction. Clear signage and pathways will help guide customers safely to your door.

  • Parking: On-street parking will be temporarily restricted near active construction zones to allow space for equipment and maintain two-way traffic.

  • Traffic Flow: Two-way traffic will be maintained on the side of the street not under construction.

  • Dining Decks: All on-street dining decks will be temporarily removed beginning June 1 to prepare for roadway resurfacing.

  • Pedestrian Access: Sidewalk access will be maintained. Construction crews will work to ensure safe, walkable routes are available at all times.

  • Noise & Dust: Some noise and dust should be expected, but work will be staged and managed to minimize disruption to daily life and commerce.

We appreciate your patience and partnership as we make El Paseo safer, smoother, and more inviting.


Project Timeline

The project will be completed in five carefully staged phases from west to east. Each phase is designed to reduce disruption by focusing construction efforts on one section of the street at a time:

  • Phase 1: South side of El Paseo, from Highway 74 to San Pablo Avenue (Shown in red)

  • Phase 2: North side of El Paseo from Highway 74 to San Pablo Avenue (shown in yellow)

  • Phase 3: South side of El Paseo from San Pablo Avenue to Portola Avenue (shown in green)

  • Phase 4: North side of El Paseo, from San Pablo Avenue to Portola Avenue (shown in blue)

  • Phase 5: South side of El Paseo from Portola Avenue to Highway 111 (shown in grey)

  • Phase 6: North side of El Paseo, from Portola Avenue to Highway 111 (shown in orange)

Construction is expected to be complete by the end of September 2025.

The construction schedule is subject to change as the project progresses.


Pedestrian Safety Upgrades

Three new raised crosswalks will be installed as part of this project to increase visibility and encourage slower vehicle speeds:

  • Between Ocotillo Drive and Sage Lane

  • Between Sage Lane and Lupine Lane

  • Between San Luis Rey Avenue and Portola Avenue

These crosswalks will feature attractive paver stones and act as visual and physical cues to elevate pedestrian safety.



Presidents Plaza #3 Improvements Planned for This Summer

This summer, the City of Palm Desert will begin maintenance work on Presidents Plaza #3, located between Sage Lane and Highway 74, bordered by El Paseo and Highway 111.

The project will include a slurry seal treatment and re-striping of the parking areas, helping to preserve the pavement and enhance the overall appearance and functionality of the lot.

To minimize disruptions and ensure continued parking availability during the El Paseo Rehabilitation Project, this work has been carefully scheduled to take place while the El Paseo street construction project is focused on the area between San Pablo Avenue and Portola Avenue.

The Presidents Plaza #3 improvements are expected to take approximately one week to complete. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we continue to invest in the infrastructure that supports our residents, businesses, and visitors.



Questions or Concerns?

If you have questions about the El Paseo project or would like to report a construction-related issue, we’re here to help.

Please use the feedback tool at the bottom of this page to submit your questions or concerns directly to our project team. We’ll make every effort to respond quickly and keep you informed.

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