Thousand Palms Facelift Set for January 22nd
County officials say that a long-anticipated road improvement and beautification project will see ground breaking later this month.
The project consists of road and sidewalk improvements on Varner Road and Monterey Avenue. Varner Road will be widened to four lanes from Ramon Road easterly to Monterey. Monterey Avenue will be widened to four lanes from Varner northerly to Ramon.
Along with the new asphalt, an 8' block wall on Monterey's east side, sidewalks, curbs and gutters will be included. The existing median just before the entrance into Broadmoor Drive will be removed, and a new median 300' in length will be installed. The traffic light at Broadmoor and Monterey will be removed. The existing entrance at Broadmoor will be modified to a right-in, right-out configuration.
Additionally, on Varner Road, there is a proposed wall that would run along the south side of the east bound lane. The wall would be close to 1/2 mile in length running along the right-of-way of Interstate 10 and will be between 4 feet in height with a glare shield. Not only will the proposed wall aid in sound reduction, but it will eliminate a potential driving hazard between Varner and Interstate 10. Also a drainage basin will be constructed along Varner Road north of the Imperial Irrigation District power station. Fifty one power poles will be eliminated, as the lines will be placed under ground or relocated to adjust for the street widening.
The $10,000,000 project, funded mainly through Redevelopment Agency revenue, is expected to be completed by early October.