The City Council of Cathedral City has greenlit a crucial step towards the recovery from the aftermath of Tropical Storm Hilary. The approval came during a recent meeting where a construction contract worth $731,400 was awarded to Hardy & Harper, Inc. for pavement reconstruction and repairs on the Panorama Neighborhood streets affected by the storm.
As per the approved decision, the upcoming construction activities are set to take place within the existing city right-of-way, with a projected timeline for commencement in May 2024 and targeted completion by July 2024, as expressed by the council: "All work will be performed within the existing city right-of-way. Construction is scheduled to start in May 2024, and is estimated to be completed by July 2024."
The impact of Tropical Storm Hilary, which hit Cathedral City on August 20, 2023, was significant, causing widespread flooding, mudflows, and debris accumulation across various parts of the city. This led to an urgent need for emergency work and clean-up operations, which commenced promptly on August 21, 2023, and concluded on March 20, 2024.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the storm, the city's pavement management consultant highlighted the accelerated deterioration of the affected streets: "According to the city’s pavement management consultant and the Pavement Management Program used to predict the asphalt deterioration on the city’s roadway network, the resulting level of deterioration within the streets affected by Tropical Storm Hilary deteriorated up to eight years faster, thus a reduction in the useful life of the pavement ranging up to 27%."
The approved construction projects include repairs on key roads within the Panorama Neighborhood, such as Horizon Road, Los Gatos Road, Panorama Road, and specific alleys, as part of the city's commitment to restoring its infrastructure post-disaster. This initiative aligns with Goal B of the City’s Five-Year Strategic Plan, emphasizing the importance of well-planned and maintained city infrastructure.
Residents and stakeholders can remain informed about the city's comprehensive plan for revitalization by accessing the full details of the strategic roadmap provided by the City Council of Cathedral City.