Construction for Palm Springs wind wall project begins

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A project to reduce the impacts of blowing dust and sand along Palm Springs roadways has begun construction.

The nearly 600-foot wind wall project along North Gene Autry Trail will stand at 14.5 ft tall.

The city wrote online at its Engage Palm Springs website:

"Work is under way on the construction of an approximately 590' long brick wall along the North Gene Autry Trail corridor, an area we all know gets pummeled by strong winds and blowing sand - reducing visibility and creating sand dunes on the roadway."

The project was given the green light in April after the City Council approved a $2,195,800 contract. Construction was slated to start in June and finish by December 2025.

The site is located along North Gene Autry Trail, between the Union Pacific Railroad bridge (just south of the I-10 Freeway) at the north and E. Via Escuela at the south.

News Channel 3 asked Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte about the effectiveness of the wall once completed.

"So the city is spending $2.2 million on this wind wall project, are you confident that it's going to work?"

The mayor responded, "Well… Mother Nature will tell us if it's going to work or not. But the plan is to help reduce those wind events and blow sand events that we have on Gene Autry."

Other attempts to mitigate wind impacts on Gene Autry Trail have generated little success. The remains of wooden barriers, like the one this latest brick wall will replace, are visible from the roadway. Local motorists are less confident about the project.

Hector Valderraint, of Desert Hot Springs, said, "If they could just do a little something different and not just a bigger wall – or more wall – that might make it a little more... I guess you could say we could appreciate it more out here.”

The mayor said there are no current plans for other wind wall projects for other Palm Springs wash roads, like Indian Canyon and Vista Chino, but left the door open for future work in those areas.

"You've got to look at the environment, the microenvironment. But, you know, we're certainly following engineer recommendations on which is best for each crossing," deHarte said.

Meanwhile, city officials remain confident that the Gene Autry project will help thousands of commuters.

"I think the residents can see their tax dollars really put into good work here," Mayor deHarte assured.