Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 22, 2025, and updated on June 5, 2025, with detailed project timeline information.
Cathedral City residents and business owners should prepare for significant construction activity as the city launches its ambitious Spring 2025 road maintenance program. The City Council has awarded a $1.44 million contract to Petrochem Materials Innovation, LLC. (PMI) for the FY 2024-2025 Spring Rubberized Emulsion Aggregate Slurry (REAS) Projects.
What is REAS?
REAS serves as the primary pavement maintenance surface treatment designed to preserve asphalt on public streets. This specialized treatment has proven highly effective due to its exceptional durability, longevity, and the added benefit of reducing roadway tire noise for nearby residents.
The construction process involves multiple phases: applying REAS to outside lanes, center lanes, and finally “windows” – which refers to detail work and touch-ups around driveways, manholes, and areas requiring special attention after the main surface treatment is complete.
Understanding Assessment Districts
Assessment 86-5 refers to a specifically defined geographic neighborhood where property owners have agreed to pay special fees to support road maintenance and improvements within their area. The streets in this assessment district are included in the current REAS project.
Detailed Construction Schedule
Construction activities will take place Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the following detailed timeline:
Week 1:
- May 26: Memorial Day (No Work)
- May 27: Date Palm Drive (Gerald Ford Drive to East Palm Canyon Drive, outside lanes)
- May 28: Date Palm Drive (Gerald Ford Drive to East Palm Canyon Drive, center lanes)
- May 29: East Palm Canyon Drive (Cathedral Canyon Drive to Auto Park Drive, outside lanes)
- May 30: East Palm Canyon Drive (W City limits to Canyon Plaza/Canyon Plaza to Perez Road, outside lanes)
Week 2:
- June 2: East Palm Canyon Drive (W City limits to Canyon Plaza/Canyon Plaza to Perez Road/Cathedral Canyon Drive to Auto Park Drive, center lanes)
- June 3: El Toro Road (Baristo Road to Culdesac), San Helena Avenue/Aliso Road (San Eljay Avenue to Culdesac), Date Palm Drive (Gerald Ford Drive to East Palm Canyon Drive, windows)
- June 4: Victor Road (Baristo Road to Culdesac), Garner Avenue (San Eljay Avenue to Culdesac), East Palm Canyon Drive (Driveways, windows), Date Palm Drive (Gerald Ford Drive to East Palm Canyon Drive, windows)
- June 5: Vista Chino Drive (W City limits to Landau Boulevard, outside lanes)
- June 6: San Suanna Avenue (San Eljay Avenue to Culdesac), Neuma Drive (Baristo Road to Culdesac), East Palm Canyon Drive (Driveways, windows)
Week 3:
- June 9: Vista Chino Drive (W City limits to Landau Boulevard, center lanes and median)
- June 10: Vista Chino Drive (Landau Boulevard to Panorama Road, outside lanes)
- June 11: Vista Chino Drive (Landau Boulevard to Panorama Road, center lanes and turning pockets)
- June 12: Vista Chino Drive (W City Limits to Panorama Road, windows)
Striping work will begin the week of June 14, 2025.
What to Expect
City officials emphasize that completing these critical infrastructure projects requires community cooperation. Residents in affected areas should anticipate inconveniences during active construction periods.
Street signage and door hangers will be distributed 72 hours before work begins on each street, providing advance notice of parking restrictions and street access limitations. During construction, residents may encounter dirt roadways, noise, vibration, odors, and construction workers operating within street right-of-ways. Street parking will be limited, and access to streets and driveways may be temporarily impaired.
Safety and Emergency Access
The city stresses the importance of extra caution in construction zones. Drivers should observe all posted signs, adhere to speed limits, and prioritize safety. Emergency access will be maintained at all times through coordination between the contractor and Cathedral City’s first responders, including police and fire departments.
Cathedral City officials acknowledge that the temporary inconveniences are part of the roadway improvement process and ask residents to remain patient while looking forward to newly rehabilitated streets.
Questions and Contact Information
Residents with questions about the project can contact Andrew Lee, Project Manager, at (760) 770-0319 or via email at alee@cathedralcity.gov.
The city appreciates community cooperation and patience during this important infrastructure investment that will benefit the City of Cathedral City for years to come.
