Key Details of the South Palm Canyon Flood Control Bridge Project
The Palm Springs City Council recently approved a $10 million flood control bridge project on South Palm Canyon Drive, with a vote of 3-0. This decision marks a significant step forward for a plan that has been in development since 2006. The project aims to provide essential flood protection at a critical crossing that has repeatedly closed during heavy storms, isolating approximately 700 homes in the area.
The location of the project is at South Palm Canyon Drive near East Bogert Trail, where the construction will replace the current roadway with an elevated bridge structure. This design allows floodwaters from Oswit Canyon to pass underneath through a rock-lined channel. According to city staff, the alluvial fan can generate runoff of up to 1.3 million gallons per minute during a 100-year storm event.
Community Concerns and Public Testimony
The decision came after nearly an hour of public testimony that highlighted divisions between residents concerned about emergency access and environmental advocates worried about habitat destruction for endangered bighorn sheep. A total of 30 speakers addressed the council, with the majority supporting the city’s proposal.
Community outreach conducted over the past 100 days revealed that public safety and emergency access were the top concerns among residents. Out of the comments received, 45% supported the project, 30% opposed it, and 25% were neutral or seeking clarification.
Residents strongly supported the project due to repeated flooding events that have trapped them in their neighborhoods during emergencies. Karen Miller, who drove through floodwaters during a 2019 Valentine’s Day storm, shared her experience with the council. She described how the barrier was removed, leading her to believe it was safe, but the water eventually entered her car. Miller emphasized the importance of community safety and the funding required for the project.
Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado also endorsed the project, citing the challenges faced by firefighters during the 2019 Valentine’s Day flood and Tropical Storm Hillary. He stated that important mitigation efforts like the South Palm Canyon bridge can significantly impact safety by keeping drivers safe on the road and allowing firefighters to access the neighborhood without unnecessary rescue efforts.
Environmental Group Opposition and Alternative Designs
Environmental groups, led by Oswit Land Trust, opposed the city’s design and requested the council wait for completion of updated environmental reviews before proceeding. They expressed concerns about damaging the habitat for peninsular bighorn sheep.
Oswit Land Trust submitted multiple alternative designs, including one featuring a flood wall instead of the city’s proposed engineered channel. They argued that this alternative would affect less habitat while providing the same flood protection. However, city engineers raised concerns about the alternative’s performance, reliability, timeline, and the need for additional property negotiations.
City Engineer Joel Montalvo mentioned that the city has already spent over $60,000 in consultant fees and 300 hours reviewing five different alternatives submitted by Oswit over the years. An additional $100,000 was spent on design modifications in 2019-2020 to accommodate earlier environmental concerns.
Montalvo emphasized the importance of moving forward with the current design to secure funding and construct the bridge in a timely manner.
Funding and Timeline
Construction costs have doubled since 2021 due to inflation and project delays caused by litigation. The city has allocated approximately $10 million for the project, with federal funds covering $4.5 million and local sources providing the remainder. The city can also request additional funding from CalTrans.
The council authorized staff to finalize environmental review and complete construction plans for bidding. However, they added requirements for ongoing community engagement and a communication timeline to keep stakeholders informed of project milestones. The project cannot proceed to construction until a CEQA addendum is completed, expected in August 2025.
