$500,000 Road Grader Saves Day in Palm Springs

City’s New Commercial Road Grader Helps Reopen Indian Canyon Drive and Gene Autry Trail

PALM SPRINGS — Who ya gonna call when mounds of blowing sand plug major thoroughfares and halt traffic? Palm Springs Public Works crews and their new $500,000 road grader.

The city’s newly purchased commercial road grader has arrived and already has been tried and tested as city street crews worked throughout the weekend to clean up and reopen Indian Canyon Drive and Gene Autry Trail following road closures due to blowing sand, build-up, and poor visibility.

“This new road grader is a significant gamechanger when it comes to clearing sand along our major roadways into the city and will be used almost daily along Indian Canyon, Vista Chino, and Gene Autry Trail,” David McAbee, director of Public Works, said in a statement.

“Smoothing out, backfilling washouts, knocking down sand drifts along roads, and removing sand and other debris from city roadways will play a significant role in maintaining visibility and reducing road closures,” he said.

McAbee noted another key function of the grader will be to maintain and prepare shoulders and roads when severe weather is forecast.

The City Council recently approved slightly more than $500,000 to purchase the new commercial road grader.

“We know how frustrating it is for commuters when the three major arterial roadways in and out of the City are shut down due to blowing sand and other weather-related issues,” City Manager Scott Stiles said in a statement. “This is an investment well spent that will significantly help city street crews reduce road closures as well as reopen roadways more quickly after a sandstorm or flooding. I want to thank the City Council for recognizing the enormous need.”