Here's what we learned after Week 1 of Coachella caused headaches on I-10 when everyone left Monday
Here's what we learned after Week 1 of Coachella caused headaches on I-10 when everyone left Monday
Consider yourself lucky if you managed to avoid Interstate 10 last Monday when thousands of people headed home after the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Traffic was backed up for miles and anyone attempting to leave the Coachella Valley likely endured hours of headaches and frustrations.
History may repeat itself this week after just as many people head home following the festival's second weekend at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. We learned from last week and can at least prepare motorists for what to expect the second time around.
Caltrans spokeswoman Terri Kasinga said westbound traffic built up beginning about 10 a.m., but speeds weren't affected until noon.
"It was close to dark when it lightened up," she said.
Commuters travel along Interstate 10 just west of Palm Springs at Whitewater on Thursday, April 11, 2019, which was the day before the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival began. Heavy traffic is expected Monday when everyone heads home. (Photo: Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun)
As per usual, congestion developed between Monroe and Cook streets as people left the polo club, which is off Monroe. Problems again arose near Indian Canyon Drive and bumper-to-bumper conditions lasted through the San Gorgonio Pass.
There were five collisions between Whitewater and Beaumont, with the last one happening about 5:45 p.m near Highland Springs Avenue. When asked if they were linked to traffic conditions, California Highway Patrol Officer Darren Meyer responded, "Based on my experience, I would say yes."
Aside from I-10, traffic also was backed up on highways 74, 371 and 79 between Palm Desert and Temecula. The impact to those roads is relatively new and Kasinga surmised it may be due to traffic apps showing travelers that route.
If you survive Monday, don't go to bed thinking it's the end of festival season traffic.
Stagecoach is another week away and it creates traffic delays once everyone heads home.
There may not be as much traffic compared with the days after Coachella, but you'll see a lot more motor homes taking up space.
About Debojyoti Roy
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