Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 2.A
Meeting Date: May 27, 2026
From: Anne Ambrose, Assistant City Manager and Ryan Hunt, Director of Communications & Engagement
Title: Ramon Road Bridge Project — Outreach Update
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is informational only — no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND:
The Ramon Road Bridge at the Whitewater River is one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the Coachella Valley, carrying more than 40,000 vehicles daily and serving as the primary gateway between Palm Springs and Cathedral City. The Ramon Road Bridge Widening Project is led by the City of Palm Springs, with Cathedral City serving as a committed partner.
The project will widen the existing bridge from a four-lane to a six-lane arterial, add seismic and flood-resilience upgrades, and introduce new pedestrian and cyclist improvements connecting to CV Link and other regional trails.
Pre-construction outreach is scheduled to begin in spring/summer 2026, with a community meeting in fall 2026, groundbreaking in December 2026, and project completion targeted for December 2028. The City of Palm Springs has retained Burke Rix Communications to lead outreach for the project, and Burke Rix will present the outreach plan directly to the Cathedral City City Council at this Study Session. Because of the bridge's direct impact on Cathedral City residents, businesses, and commuters, Mayor Pro Tem Ernesto Gutierrez highlighted the project during his Council Spotlight video at the 2026 State of the City — Cathedral City Takes Flight — on May 12, 2026, reinforcing the City's commitment to keeping the community informed throughout construction.
DISCUSSION:
Given the bridge's role as a shared gateway and the volume of Cathedral City residents, businesses, and commuters who rely on it daily, Burke Rix Communications is leading a multi-channel outreach strategy on behalf of the City of Palm Springs, with Cathedral City coordinating closely to ensure the plan addresses the needs of our community. The strategy is designed to minimize disruption, support businesses along the corridor, and keep the community informed throughout construction.
Outreach Approach. The campaign is built around four principles: being proactive (engaging early and often, with a robust stakeholder database and regional awareness), being highly communicative (regular updates via project website, e-mail newsletter, social media, press releases, live traffic alerts, and message boards), being equitable and inclusive (in-person notice distribution, regular updates at both Palm Springs and Cathedral City Council meetings, and community presentations), and being prepared and responsive (planning ahead for major events, resolving concerns quickly, and forecasting weather- related closures).
Construction Impact Mitigation. The project team intends to maintain two lanes of traffic in each direction during construction, schedule nightwork to avoid peak travel periods, and deploy a hands-on construction management team experienced with weather-related closures in the Coachella Valley.
"Business Is Open" Campaign. Supporting businesses along the corridor is a key priority.
The campaign will include a directory of participating businesses on the project website and on maps, social media spotlight features, wayfinding signage, and a dedicated Business Liaison to proactively identify issues and resolve concerns.
Cathedral City Coordination. Internal coordination is underway across the City Manager's Office, Economic Development, Public Works, Finance, and Communications & Engagement to align outreach strategy, stakeholder and business identification, and resource support for the project. Burke Rix Communications is responsible for developing the final business list for outreach, and Cathedral City staff are working with Burke Rix to ensure the right local stakeholders — particularly businesses likely to be most impacted by construction — are identified and engaged. The Communications & Engagement Division will integrate Ramon Road Bridge updates into existing City communication channels — including the City website, Discover Digest, social media platforms, and the Cathedral City Canvas community mailer — to ensure consistent messaging reaches Cathedral City residents and businesses throughout the project.
Project Channels:
Website: www.RamonRoadBridgeProject.com (expected to be live by May 27, 2026)
24/7 Hotline: (760) 933-9944
Email: [email protected]
Facebook & Instagram: @RamonRoadBridgeProject
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the City of Cathedral City regarding community outreach. The City of Palm Springs holds the agreement with Burke Rix Communications and is funding all outreach activities associated with the project.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
This outreach effort advances Strategic Plan goals including:
Action B-16 (Provide more messaging to the community regarding the City's progress on roads through strong communication campaigns). Action F-6 (Develop and implement a plan to improve and diversify communication methods with residents).
Goal B (Community Investment) and Goal E (Safety) — broadly advanced through infrastructure improvements that enhance regional connectivity, public safety, and resilience.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ramon Road Bridge City Council Presentation
2. Fact Sheet