Haystack Traffic Calming and Safety Study

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Consultation has concluded

Traffic Calming and Safety Study

This Traffic Calming and Safety Study is focused on a 1.3-mile-long segment of Haystack Road in Palm Desert, CA between Highway 74 and Portola Avenue. The five corridor intersections include Alamo Drive, Chia Drive, Heliotrope Drive, Moon Lane, and Portola Avenue. As the City continues to focus on increasing safety and accessibility on Haystack Road, public input is incredibly important in determining what best meets the community's needs.

What We Know About Haystack Road:

  • Haystack Road has one through travel lane in each direction and has a two-way left-turn lane between Hwy 74 and Heliotrope Drive.
  • Bike lanes and parking lanes are marked for a portion of the corridor.
  • Haystack Road carries 4,700 vehicles per day.
  • The speed limit is 45 mph, but about 1/3 of vehicles travel faster than 45 MPH.
  • There have been nine vehicle collisions over the last eleven years.

This Study Looks To:

  • Studying the safety of the street and traffic.
  • Identifying options for improvements.

Recent Staff Reports

Project Area

map of Coachella Valleyhaystack road aerial view

Project Updates

October 5, 2023: Meeting #4

On October 5, 2023, the City of Palm Desert hosted a virtual community gathering that focused on a variety of traffic management initiatives in the South Palm Desert area, with a special emphasis on the Haystack Road vicinity.

During this virtual meeting, the City presented vital information about forthcoming projects aimed at enhancing traffic management, ensuring residents' safety, and increasing convenience. The input and feedback from South Palm Desert residents were pivotal in shaping the success of these initiatives.

Missed the Meeting? View the recording below:


October 18, 2021: Meeting #3

The City held the 3rd Community Outreach meeting on October 18 and presented improvement recommendations for community feedback. A link to the presentation slides can be found here.


July 20, 2021: Meeting #2:

The second community meeting was held on July 20. A total of 23 participants attended, including city staff, the consultant, Mayor Kelly, and Councilmember Jonathan. A new traffic calming toolbox survey was provided to residents for their feedback. City staff also began installing three speed feedback signs on Haystack Road on July 21, 2021. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation and chat questions can be found here.


May 4, 2021, Meeting #1:

The City held the first of three community meetings on May 4th to gain initial feedback regarding speeding and roadway safety concerns. Additional meetings will be held in July and September. Throughout the study, the community will continue to be engaged through social media and a project website to be launched on May 4.

Share Your Ideas

As the City continues to focus on increasing safety and accessibility on Haystack Road, public input and support are incredibly important in determining what best meets the community's needs. Use the tools at the bottom of this page and let us know your preferred improvement options.

Intersection safety ImprovementsSpeed ImprovementsPedestrian ImprovementsBike Improvements
  • Flashing stop sign
  • All-way stop
  • speed advisory
  • intersection lighting
  • trim corner vegetation
  • roundabout
  • Speed limit signs and street markings
  • Speed cushions
  • Lane narrowing
  • Radar speed signs


  • Enhanced crosswalk
  • Raised crosswalk
  • Sidewalks
  • Rectangular rapid flashing beacon
  • Bullouts
  • Separated bike path
  • Bike lane
  • Buffered bike lane
  • Shared road bike lane
  • On road with vertical separation

Traffic Calming and Safety Study

This Traffic Calming and Safety Study is focused on a 1.3-mile-long segment of Haystack Road in Palm Desert, CA between Highway 74 and Portola Avenue. The five corridor intersections include Alamo Drive, Chia Drive, Heliotrope Drive, Moon Lane, and Portola Avenue. As the City continues to focus on increasing safety and accessibility on Haystack Road, public input is incredibly important in determining what best meets the community's needs.

What We Know About Haystack Road:

  • Haystack Road has one through travel lane in each direction and has a two-way left-turn lane between Hwy 74 and Heliotrope Drive.
  • Bike lanes and parking lanes are marked for a portion of the corridor.
  • Haystack Road carries 4,700 vehicles per day.
  • The speed limit is 45 mph, but about 1/3 of vehicles travel faster than 45 MPH.
  • There have been nine vehicle collisions over the last eleven years.

This Study Looks To:

  • Studying the safety of the street and traffic.
  • Identifying options for improvements.

Recent Staff Reports

Project Area

map of Coachella Valleyhaystack road aerial view

Project Updates

October 5, 2023: Meeting #4

On October 5, 2023, the City of Palm Desert hosted a virtual community gathering that focused on a variety of traffic management initiatives in the South Palm Desert area, with a special emphasis on the Haystack Road vicinity.

During this virtual meeting, the City presented vital information about forthcoming projects aimed at enhancing traffic management, ensuring residents' safety, and increasing convenience. The input and feedback from South Palm Desert residents were pivotal in shaping the success of these initiatives.

Missed the Meeting? View the recording below:


October 18, 2021: Meeting #3

The City held the 3rd Community Outreach meeting on October 18 and presented improvement recommendations for community feedback. A link to the presentation slides can be found here.


July 20, 2021: Meeting #2:

The second community meeting was held on July 20. A total of 23 participants attended, including city staff, the consultant, Mayor Kelly, and Councilmember Jonathan. A new traffic calming toolbox survey was provided to residents for their feedback. City staff also began installing three speed feedback signs on Haystack Road on July 21, 2021. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation and chat questions can be found here.


May 4, 2021, Meeting #1:

The City held the first of three community meetings on May 4th to gain initial feedback regarding speeding and roadway safety concerns. Additional meetings will be held in July and September. Throughout the study, the community will continue to be engaged through social media and a project website to be launched on May 4.

Share Your Ideas

As the City continues to focus on increasing safety and accessibility on Haystack Road, public input and support are incredibly important in determining what best meets the community's needs. Use the tools at the bottom of this page and let us know your preferred improvement options.

Intersection safety ImprovementsSpeed ImprovementsPedestrian ImprovementsBike Improvements
  • Flashing stop sign
  • All-way stop
  • speed advisory
  • intersection lighting
  • trim corner vegetation
  • roundabout
  • Speed limit signs and street markings
  • Speed cushions
  • Lane narrowing
  • Radar speed signs


  • Enhanced crosswalk
  • Raised crosswalk
  • Sidewalks
  • Rectangular rapid flashing beacon
  • Bullouts
  • Separated bike path
  • Bike lane
  • Buffered bike lane
  • Shared road bike lane
  • On road with vertical separation
Consultation has concluded
  • Share Will the roundabout at Alamo or any other intersections be constructed? Is that still under consideration? on Facebook Share Will the roundabout at Alamo or any other intersections be constructed? Is that still under consideration? on Twitter Share Will the roundabout at Alamo or any other intersections be constructed? Is that still under consideration? on Linkedin Email Will the roundabout at Alamo or any other intersections be constructed? Is that still under consideration? link

    Will the roundabout at Alamo or any other intersections be constructed? Is that still under consideration?

    PDRes83 asked over 1 year ago

    A roundabout was a traffic calming measure recommended in the Traffic Calming and Safety Study. On November 18, 2021, City Council approved staff to move forward with Phase 1 (All-way-stop intersections) and Phase 2 (Class IV multi-use path) of the recommended Traffic Calming and Safety Improvements on Haystack Road. 

    Roundabouts were identified as Phase 3 improvements that may be considered in the future if the Phase 1 and 2 improvements do not achieve the project objectives. At this time roundabouts are not proposed on Haystack Road.

  • Share Good morning - I see phase 1 is currently under construction and phase 2 is planned for next year. Do you have details on what will be constructed in each phase? I am just trying to figure out what plan/priorities was selected? Thanks! on Facebook Share Good morning - I see phase 1 is currently under construction and phase 2 is planned for next year. Do you have details on what will be constructed in each phase? I am just trying to figure out what plan/priorities was selected? Thanks! on Twitter Share Good morning - I see phase 1 is currently under construction and phase 2 is planned for next year. Do you have details on what will be constructed in each phase? I am just trying to figure out what plan/priorities was selected? Thanks! on Linkedin Email Good morning - I see phase 1 is currently under construction and phase 2 is planned for next year. Do you have details on what will be constructed in each phase? I am just trying to figure out what plan/priorities was selected? Thanks! link

    Good morning - I see phase 1 is currently under construction and phase 2 is planned for next year. Do you have details on what will be constructed in each phase? I am just trying to figure out what plan/priorities was selected? Thanks!

    PDRes83 asked over 1 year ago

    Phase 1 includes the addition of stop signs and associated striping at 3 intersections along Haystack Road. Due to constraints in the field, the ADA-compliant curb ramps and crosswalks at these intersections have been delayed. 

    Phase 2 includes the construction of a Class IV multi-use path along the north side of Haystack Road, the installation of ADA-compliant curb ramps, and crosswalks. Construction is anticipated to commence by Summer 2023.