Cathedral Canyon Drive is Getting a Major Makeover This Spring

The City of Cathedral City's Public Works Department is moving forward with two significant projects along Cathedral Canyon Drive that, together, will improve the roadway from Perez Road northward to the Ofelia Bringas Memorial Bridge. Construction is anticipated to begin in May 2026 and wrap up by the end of July - a quick but impactful window of work that will leave the corridor looking and functioning like new.

Street Rehabilitation: Perez Road to Ofelia Bringas Bridge

The first and largest effort is a full pavement rehabilitation of Cathedral Canyon Drive between Perez Road and the Ofelia Bringas Memorial Bridge. This stretch of roadway currently carries a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) score of just 24 out of 100 - putting it firmly in the "very poor" category - making it one of the highest-priority streets in the city's Pavement Management Program.

The project is currently out to bid, with a contract expected to be awarded at the April 22, 2026, City Council meeting. Once underway, residents and commuters can expect a significantly smoother, safer driving surface upon completion.

This project is funded through the city's Maintenance of Effort (MOE) General Fund, part of the city's commitment to maintaining local roadways and remaining eligible for state transportation funding under Senate Bill 1 (SB-1) and Riverside County Measure A funding.

New Sidewalk: Paseo Azulejo to Kieley Road

Within the rehabilitation zone, a second project will fill in a long-standing gap in the pedestrian network. The west side of Cathedral Canyon Drive between Paseo Azulejo and Kieley Road currently has no sidewalk - a missing link that limits walking access for residents and visitors along this stretch of the corridor.

To address this, Councilmember Rita Lamb recommended dedicating available District Improvement Funds toward constructing a new 5.5-foot-wide sidewalk along this segment. The project scope includes clearing and grubbing vegetation and debris, removal of existing concrete improvements where needed, and adjustment of existing utilities to final grade.

This sidewalk completes the final segment of a planned pedestrian corridor along Cathedral Canyon Drive that has been a priority in the city's Active Transportation Plan since 2023. Prior projects - including the Ofelia Bringas Memorial Bridge (2022) and the ATP Cycle 5 Sidewalk and Multiuse Trail Project (2025) - have already delivered sidewalk improvements between Dinah Shore Drive and Paseo Azulejo. An existing sidewalk already runs along the east side of the road within this project segment.

On April 8, 2026, the City Council is expected to award a construction contract to S&H Civilworks of Colton, CA - the lowest of five qualified bids received - in the amount of $81,550.00. With an 11% construction contingency and material testing services, the total project budget comes to $92,439.30.

Together, these two projects represent a comprehensive investment in Cathedral Canyon Drive - improving the experience for everyone who travels the corridor, whether behind the wheel or on foot. Residents along and near the corridor can expect mailers and posted signage in advance of any work affecting their access and are encouraged to plan for brief delays during construction activity.

Project vicinity map showing the proposed 5.5-foot concrete sidewalk along the west side of Cathedral Canyon Drive between Paseo Azulejo and Kieley Road.