City of Cathedral City, CA

Located within 10 miles of Palm Springs, the City of Cathedral City is the second most populous city in the rapidly growing Coachella Valley region. To address growing traffic volumes, the City is undertaking a critical transportation infrastructure improvement initiative, which is part of the broader California state-funded Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The Traffic Signal Hardware Upgrades project for Cathedral City falls within Cycle 11C HSIP, which is a federally supported program aimed at enhancing regional roadway safety through strategic upgrades and engineering improvements. The project will help ensure that the City’s transportation network will support its goals to enhance long-term mobility and safety.

This project represents a proactive step by Cathedral City to improve roadway safety and modernize its traffic control infrastructure. The upgraded traffic signal hardware and safety lighting is an important step that contributes to an overall transportation network that enhances safety, supports commerce, and connects communities.

The objective of this project is to modernize traffic signal hardware at key intersections throughout Cathedral City. By upgrading traffic signal equipment, the City aims to enhance safety for all road users, including Vulnerable Roadway Users (VRUs). These upgrades are specified to better align the City with regional Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) and Vision Zero goals. In 2024, Cathedral City developed detailed plans, specifications, and cost estimates for the proposed hardware upgrades project.

In 2025, the City awarded Econolite Systems, Inc. the contract for the implementation and construction support phase of the traffic signal and safety lighting upgrades project. Econolite will upgrade traffic signals at 49 intersections, including installing reflective backplates that increase visibility for drivers, as well as upgrade LED roadway safety lighting at strategic locations throughout the City.