Faustino Novino has worked as a co-owner of Top Notch Auto on N. Indian Canyon Drive for the past seven years and said this year appeared to be the worst yet in terms of weather-related road closures in the area, including the road it’s on store is located.

“This thing was apparently more closed than open,” Novino said. Days when inclement weather is expected, leading to road closures, often force customers to cancel their appointments and auto parts deliveries are delayed or even canceled.

Novino said he is aware of a poll recently launched by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) to seek community opinion on a proposed N. Indian Canyon Bridge.

“We need something. Something has to be done,” said Novino. He said he believes the implementation of the project needs to start and move forward quickly. Other small business owners in the area who didn’t want to speak on camera told News Channel 3 a similar sentiment.

The survey comes as CVAG has applied for a $50 million grant to help fix local road closures due to severe weather and flooding, which have become a regular concern for motorists in recent years.

CVAG officials said if the organization receives the grant, it would be used to build bridges with arched culverts to span the areas where sand and water accumulate. The proposed bridge would be designed with arch culverts that would allow sand to circulate and elevate vehicles over floodplains.

In addition, officials said the proposed bridge would also include walkways, bike paths and solar-powered shade structures along the entire corridor to support greater regional active transportation.

CVAG is looking for community input on area travel habits and amenities to make it safer and easier for all residents of Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs to travel the route.

“Your input will help demonstrate the need for these improvements and will count toward the grant,” CVAG said in a statement. Each entrant has a chance to win a $50 fuel card.

You can find out more about this story at 18:00 on news channel 3.

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