Eastbound lanes to reopen around 5:00 pm and westbound lanes around 10:00 pm
CATHEDRAL CITY – (June 30, 2021) At approximately 11:40 a.m., an elderly driver made an illegal U-turn on Dinah Shore Drive near the drive entrances of Mountain View Apartments and hit a fire hydrant causing water damage to the adjacent roadways and sidewalks. Crews were able to shut the water off around noon; however, the water release from the damaged hydrant caused water, mud and debris to spill out onto Dinah Shore Drive and create a large sinkhole where the hydrant once stood.
The Coachella Valley Water District (CCWD) deployed clean-up crews to clear the road of mud and debris. An initial assessment of the sinkhole has determined that it did not compromise Dinah Shore Drive, but it has compromised the sidewalk. CCWD will finish cleaning the eastbound lanes by 5:00 pm and Cathedral City Public Works will reopen eastbound lanes shortly thereafter. CCWD will continue cleaning the westbound lanes and making repairs to the sidewalk to allow pedestrian usage. CCWD estimates that they will finish and allow the westbound lanes to reopen by 10:00 pm tonight.
The elderly driver who left the scene of the accident was quickly identified. Cathedral City Police Department located the driver and his automobile at his home in Cathedral City. The driver has provided CCPD with his insurance information and it has been given to CCWD for reimbursement claims.
While Dinah Shore Drive is closed, motorists should use alternative routes such as East Palm Canyon Drive or Ramon Road or be prepared to be detoured with delays.
