The recently reconfigured San Pablo Avenue in Palm Desert, with its colorful and lighted crosswalks; de fi ned cycle paths and wider sidewalks; pocket playpens; and the new desert landscaping has been recognized by the Southern California Association of Governments.

The $ 8.4 million phase one renovation, which also reduced traffic lanes from four to two between Hwy 111 and Fred Waring Drive, to promote walking and cycling, received the award from the 2021 sustainability of the SCAG in the category “Active, healthy and safe communities”.

The award was announced at the SCAG regional conference and general assembly, which were held virtually this week.

Sustainability award recipients are chosen for projects that use innovative planning to improve the region’s mobility, livability, prosperity and sustainability.

The street has been redesigned to be “the heart of the city”, where special events – concerts, street fairs and farmers’ markets – can be organized by closing vehicle access between Alessandro Drive and San Gorgonio Way. It also offers more parking for golf carts.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the city has not held major street events, although the Wednesday Farmer’s Market was moved to San Pablo Avenue in December and a second market was held. once a month on Sundays, the last being scheduled for May. 30.

“Palm Desert has long supported environmentally friendly transportation alternatives (like golf carts),” Mayor Kathleen Kelly said in a press release.

“The reinvented San Pablo Corridor not only makes cycling and walking safer and more engaging, it also provides a better driving experience, making it easier for everyone to access this gathering place,” said Kelly.

“We are grateful to SCAG for supporting this initiative in its early development and for confirming the end result with this award,” she said.

The second phase of the San Pablo makeover, north of Fred Waring Drive to Magnesia Falls Drive, is underway.

Estimated at a cost of between $ 5 million and $ 7 million, the second phase involves the installation of roundabouts at the entrance to College of the Desert and Civic Center Park and at the intersection of Magnesia Falls, and the addition of improved pedestrian bridges.

The median tamarisk, just south of the Magnesia Falls intersection, has been removed and the road is repaved to include on-street bike paths. Parking and lighting are also added.

The cycle paths will be linked to the municipal portion of the CV Link.

SCAG is an association of local governments and agencies that undertake a variety of planning and policy initiatives to encourage a more sustainable Southern California. It is the largest metropolitan planning organization in the country, representing six counties, 191 cities and over 19 million people.

Desert Sun reporter Sherry Barkas covers the towns of La Quinta, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert. She can be contacted at sherry.barkas@thedesertsun.com. Follow her on Twitter @TDSsherryBarkas