Caltrans must address Highway 86 fixes to help stop future accidents
Five people, including two children, were killed on Jan. 14 when the car they were in crashed into a semi-truck at the intersection of 81st Avenue and State Route 86 in Oasis near the Salton Sea.
On April 13, two people died following a collision involving a semi-truck and two sedans just before midnight near the intersection of Highway 86 and Avenue 66 in Mecca.
The list of tragic accidents goes on – and safety improvements along the Highway 86 corridor remain long overdue – while Caltrans District 8 sits idle, seemingly doing nothing.
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), which is responsible for state highways/expressways including Highway 86, acknowledged the recent incidents at the intersection of 81st Avenue and State Route 86.
“Currently, Caltrans is working closely with our Indio CHP partner after the recent influx of incidents at this intersection,” said Eric Dionne, Caltrans District 8 public and media affairs manager.
Dionne also mentioned that one quick-fix safety measure would be enhanced reflectivity along the highway’s shoulders.
“Maintenance forces can install additional delineation along the shoulders for enhanced reflectivity,” Dionne said. “We are working with our Traffic Operations Division, which is investigating the area of concern and will determine what safety measures can be implemented for additional safety.”
Painting reflective lines along a highway doesn’t take weeks or months, so what’s the holdup?
While there is a stop sign at the eastbound 81st Avenue intersection with state Routes 85 and 86, visibility of it is slightly obstructed by overgrown plants, according to Desert Sun reporting and photos.
Caltrans should also put out a current traffic study of the area – a 2022 District 8 Active Transportation Plan doesn’t mention Highway 86.
Our elected officials in the area, Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and Rep. Raul Ruiz, both agree it’s time for action.
“There is a huge need for investment in upgrading this corridor, particularly at intersections where traffic has to stop at stop signs or traffic signals,” Perez said in a statement to the board. “This is a safety issue, an issue of equity, lack of investment, and its infrastructure that’s needed as the eastern Coachella Valley grows.”
Perez continued:
“We have been advocating for years, alongside the City of Coachella, RCTC and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, for projects like these needed interchanges for State Route 86, especially an overpass at State Route 86 and Avenue 50 in the City of Coachella. The city has put in multiple applications for state and federal funding, and we will continue to work together to advocate for our region and help move this project forward for funding.”
A spokesperson from Congressman Ruiz’s office echoed the sentiment in a statement to the board:
“Congressman is monitoring this issue, and his office continues to be in touch with Caltrans to pursue solutions that ensure drivers' safety and well-being on Highway 86.”
Good on Coachella for putting in multiple applications for state and federal funding that looks at Highway 86 and Avenue 50.
We applaud our elected leaders and continue to urge strong advocacy as Caltrans must act on their ideas for change in real-time, not Caltrans time, before more fatal accidents occur. It is literally a matter of life and death.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Caltrans must address Highway 86 fixes to help stop future accidents
