INDIO – The new Jefferson Street interchange, which alleviates traffic and improves freeway access for residents and visitors to the eastern Coachella Valley, Indio, La Quinta and Bermuda Dunes, was dedicated at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 17.

The ceremony marked the substantial completion of the Jefferson Street interchange, the sixth interchange project in the last seven years to be improved as part of the Coachella Valley Interstate 10 Corridor Improvement Plan.

“We all benefit by the completion of these major improvements along the Interstate 10 corridor, which improve our economy and quality of life,” said Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. “As a result, we are able to provide smoother transportation systems to our residents so that they aren’t stuck in traffic when they take their kids to school. Visitors coming from other parts of the country, especially during festival season, can get to a destination much quicker and support our local economy. I’m very proud that county, city and state agencies worked together to complete these six interchange projects, including this beautiful new gateway to the eastern Coachella Valley, Indio, La Quinta and Bermuda Dunes.”

Supervisor Perez was joined by fellow Supervisor Marion Ashley, Indio Mayor Elaine Holmes, La Quinta Mayor Linda Evans, and representatives from agencies that worked on the project.

“The grand opening of the Jefferson Street interchange is an important milestone, and a reflection of the promises kept in the I-10 Coachella Valley Corridor Improvement Project,” said Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley, who is chairman of the CVAG Executive Committee. “We’ve worked for years to improve the way traffic moves along Interstate 10, and we are now better poised to handle the residential and commercial growth that is coming to the eastern Coachella Valley. This couldn’t have happened without the tireless work from all of the project’s stakeholders.”

The new Jefferson project replaces an interchange that was originally constructed in 1960 and updated in 1972. Reconstructing the interchange was one of the top regional needs for many years, due to a configuration that was confusing and constricting to traffic flow as well as significant growth that has occurred since the interchange’s original design.

The project replaced the former Jefferson Street bridge and northbound Indio Boulevard overcrossing with a single bridge designed for traffic entering and exiting the freeway from both directions. The new six-lane bridge also has dedicated turning lanes, shoulders wide enough to accommodate bicycles and a sidewalk on the northbound side of Jefferson Street.

The bridge incorporates desert oasis aesthetic features and landscaping.

“The City of Indio is excited to be celebrating the completion of the Jefferson Street interchange,” Indio Mayor Elaine Holmes said. “This project creates a new gateway to Indio, opening up economic opportunities in the northern part of the City and ensuring that our residents and visitors can access the city safely and efficiently.”

The $71.4 million project is expected to be finished in September.