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CALTRANS HEARS FROM MORONGO VALLEY RESIDENTS ABOUT HIGHWAY 62

A modestly-sized, but vocal group of Morongo Valley residents showed up to hear what CalTrans had to say about the Route 62 median project. Reporter Dan Stork tells about the give-and-takeā€¦

Caltrans officials conducted a public meeting at the pavilion in Covington Park in Morongo Valley Wednesday night, to update the community on the status of the Route 62 median project. District 8 operations supervisor Hassam Yahya said that construction on a permanent median should begin in late 2016 or early 2017. Lack of drainage systems have required hydrological studies, that have shown that the solid divider that is used at the top of the Yucca Grade is not suitable for many sections of the median. Environmental studies are also required. Yahya, CHP officers, and Morongo Valley fire personnel and residents all noted that there have been no cross-median collisions since the plastic delineators have been installed, and generally agreed that this outweighs inconvenience and extra care in crossing and turning that they require. Yahya and Caltrans spokesperson Terry Kasinga asked for public input on where turn pockets and traffic signals might be installed; the current breaks in the delineator array donā€™t have to match the permanent configuration. Yahya said that the only traffic signal planned would be at Bella Vista, which met with disfavor by many of those present. Residents also complained that the delineators have led to increased, and rapid traffic in neighborhoods, as drivers look for ways to cross the highway. Yahya said that he is willing to come again to Morongo Valley when the design for the median project is further along. Morongo Valley residents or business owners who have thoughts on implementation of the median project can share them with Caltrans at an email address given in this story: [email protected]

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