Street Projects in Palm Desert

This page provides an overview of planned street and roadway projects taking place throughout Palm Desert. The goal is to keep residents informed about upcoming work, anticipated impacts, and general timelines. While the City works closely with project partners to keep schedules up to date, timelines may change due to weather conditions, material availability, or coordination requirements. Although this list represents a comprehensive overview of known projects coordinated by City staff and partner agencies, smaller projects and emergency repairs may occur at any time and may not be listed here.

San Pablo Road Closure for Community Garden Installation (May 11)

The City of Palm Desert would like to inform residents, businesses, and visitors of a temporary road closure scheduled to support the installation of new community garden boxes.

On Monday, May 11, from 6:00 a.m. to approximately 12:00 p.m., a full road closure will be in place along San Pablo Avenue between Catalina Way (west of San Pablo) and Guadeloupe Avenue.

Motorists are encouraged to plan alternate routes and allow for additional travel time during the closure period. The City appreciates the community’s patience as we complete this improvement, which will support local programming and enhance public spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Citywide Arterial Restriping Underway

The City has begun a citywide effort to restripe major arterial roadways, starting with Cook Street and Portola Avenue. This project is designed to improve overall traffic flow while also creating more space and safer conditions for bicyclists. The following streets will be worked on for this project:

• Portola Avenue
• Gerald Ford Drive
• Cook Street
• Country Club Drive
• El Dorado Drive
• Frank Sinatra Drive
• Oasis Club Drive
• CA-111

As part of this work, storm drains are being covered to prevent debris from getting into our waterway, and existing lane markings are being removed in preparation for the new striping layout. The roads will be slurry-sealed, and then new striping will be added to the road. During construction, drivers may notice that lane lines are temporarily less visible or absent in some areas.

We appreciate your patience during this transition and encourage drivers to use extra caution while traveling through these areas.

Gerald Ford Drive Improvements

Two-way traffic has now resumed on Gerald Ford Drive between Cook Street and El Paseo del Corazon (the entrance to the Spanish Walk community) as construction continues on the City of Palm Desert’s roadway improvement project.

This project is designed to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and upgrade the overall appearance of the corridor. While most work is now taking place with traffic flowing in both directions, motorists may still encounter occasional lane adjustments as construction progresses.

All businesses remain open, and residents along the corridor continue to have access to their homes throughout the project.

Project Features Include:

• New pavement
• New medians
• Sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and driveways
• Upgraded traffic signals
• Underground utility improvements
• Enhanced median landscaping to beautify the roadway

Construction Timeline: December 1, 2025 – May 26, 2026

Traffic Signal Visibility Improvements Underway

The City of Palm Desert will soon begin installing high-visibility backplates on traffic signals throughout the community. These backplates add a yellow reflective border around signal heads, making traffic lights easier to see—especially in bright sunlight, low-light conditions, or complex intersections.

Why this matters:
This improvement is designed to enhance safety for all roadway users by increasing signal visibility and helping drivers more quickly recognize traffic lights, reducing the potential for red-light running and collisions.

What to expect:

• Work will take place at signalized intersections citywide from late March through August 2026
• Crews will move from intersection to intersection, typically completing work quickly at each location
• Short-term lane closures may occur during installation
• Work will occur during daytime hours initially, with a transition to night work later in the project to minimize traffic impacts

The City will make every effort to reduce disruptions and appreciates your patience as we complete these important safety upgrades.

• Start Date: March 23, 2026
• End Date: August 13, 2026
• Work Type: Rolling installation at signalized intersections citywide
• Work Hours:
  • March – mid-May: Primarily daytime work
  • Mid-May – August: Primarily night work (to reduce traffic impacts)
• Traffic Impacts:
  • Brief, moving lane closures at individual intersections
  • No long-term closures at any single location

Monterey Avenue & Dinah Shore Drive Construction