Project Overview

The County of Riverside, in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), proposes to construct approximately 14 miles of multi-modal trail and sidewalk infrastructure in the communities of Thermal and Oasis in the eastern Coachella Valley, Riverside County. The project area is also within tribal land of the Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians (TMDCI). The general route is a multi-modal trail loop that runs along 66th Avenue, Pierce Street, 74th Avenue and Harrison Street, with an additional segment extending north along Harrison Street to Echols Road and a sidewalk along Middleton Street between Harrison Street and 66th Avenue. An additional sidewalk would supplement the multi-modal trail on the portion of 66th Avenue between Harrison Street and Tyler Street. Along a portion of 66th Avenue the trail alignment is anticipated to occupy a raised access path along an existing irrigation channel, owned and operated by the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) outside of the road right of way. The trail may also be placed along a CVWD canal on top of the adjacent levee at the intersection of Fillmore Street and 66th Avenue to its connection on Pierce Street, pending approval from CVWD to utilize this access road for the trail alignment.

The project will also construct bridge, culvert extensions or low water crossings where the trail crosses streams or canals, along with drainage improvements, and relocation of existing utilities. Pavement striping or other traffic control measures may be implemented as needed at street crossings.

The proposed multi-modal trail is a paved asphalt 10-foot-wide path situated primarily within road right of way with a minimum 5-foot buffer from the adjacent travel lanes. The proposed concrete sidewalk will be 5-foot-wide with adjacent street-side curb constructed at the edge of the existing travel lane.

Purpose

· Accommodate and promote multi-modal mobility by creating an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the communities of Thermal and Oasis.

· Enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety in the project area by providing a separate multi-modal trail from vehicular traffic.

Need

Pedestrians and bicyclists use the paved shoulder or unpaved area directly adjacent to roadways within the project area as their path of travel in proximity to vehicular traffic. The Thermal and Oasis Active Transportation Project is needed because the transportation network in the predominantly rural, agricultural area, lacks consistent pedestrian or bicycle facilities.

The Project is consistent with the County’s Neighborhood Mobility Plan for the Communities of Thermal & Oasis. For additional information on this plan please visit the following webpage: https://rctlma.org/trans/Project-Information/Transportation-Planning-Projects

Additional Project Details

CEQA Environmental Document Circulation: March 24, 2023 until April 24, 2023
Public Workshop: April 6, 2023 at Desert Mirage High School Theater Room from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.