North Indian Canyon Drive Reopens After Flooding In Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS, CA — North Indian Canyon Drive near the Whitewater Wash reopened Tuesday morning following flooding that forced the road's closure over the weekend.

The roadway reopened at 7:08 a.m., the city of Palm Springs announced on Tuesday.

North Indian Canyon Drive, Gene Autry Trail and Vista Chino were closed at the wash on Oct. 11, after heavy rainfall flooded roadways across the Coachella Valley, the city announced on Monday. Tropical Storm Rachel brought rain to the region, prompting multiple road closures throughout Riverside County.

Gene Autry Trail and Vista Chino at the wash reopened Sunday, Oct. 11, at 1:08 p.m., while North Indian Canyon Drive remained closed until Tuesday, the city said.

The repeated closures have highlighted ongoing efforts to address flooding along Whitewater Wash, where stormwater can flow across major roadways and disrupt travel.

The Coachella Valley Association of Governments is seeking federal funding for a bridge project on Indian Canyon Drive over the wash. The proposal calls for two bridges, one on the north side of the wash near Palm Springs Station Road, where most stormwater crosses the roadway, and another on the south side near the levee adjoining Sunrise Parkway, according to the city.

The Coachella Valley Association of Governments staff has recommended hiring Michael Baker International to advance design work for three valley locations simultaneously, at an estimated cost of $4 million to $5 million, the city said.

Plans for a low-water crossing bridge at Vista Chino are "in the 65% design phase," the city said. The project also requires coordination with utility providers to relocate existing infrastructure and avoid conflicts with new bridge supports. Further progress is awaiting completion of an environmental impact study.

A 2016 estimate placed the cost of the Vista Chino bridge project at approximately $95 million.

No bridge is currently planned for Gene Autry Trail at the wash.