Traffic Mess On 10 Freeway Due To Coachella Fest Hangover

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — Thousands of festival goers are leaving the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Monday, following weekend one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

The departures are causing significant slowing on westbound Interstate 10 through the Coachella Valley and into the San Gorgonio Pass Area.

The California Highway Patrol issued a traffic advisory just after 9 a.m. that remains in effect as of 12:30 p.m.

Expect more traffic jams ahead. Weekend two of the Coachella music fest is scheduled for April 17-19 at the polo grounds located at 81-800 51st Avenue. (Find more information at coachella.com.)

Then, thousands more fans are anticipated at Stagecoach: California’s Country Music Festival, which takes place April 24-26 at the Empire Polo Club.

If you want to avoid the throngs, here's what to know:

Avenue 50 between Monroe Street and Madison Avenue will remain closed until Monday, May 4. The closure is necessary to protect the safety of workers, residents and commuters. Alternate routes include Highway 111, Dr. Carreon Boulevard, Avenue 48 and Avenue 52, according to the city of Indio.

The following streets will be primary access routes for the festivals on the following days: April 17-20; and April 24-27, but significant traffic is expected:

• Jefferson Street, southbound, from Interstate 10 to Avenue 52
• Washington Street, southbound, from I-10 to Avenue 52
• Monroe Street, southbound, from I-10 to Avenue 52
• Avenue 48 between Jefferson and Jackson streets
• Highway 111 at Jefferson Street
• Highway 111 at Monroe Street
• I-10 exit eastbound at Jefferson Street
• I-10 exit eastbound at Monroe Street
• I-10 exit eastbound at Washington Street

On each Friday of the festivals through each Monday, the following roads will be closed:

• Avenue 49 between Hjorth Street and Monroe Street
• Avenue 50 between Madison Street and Jackson Street
• Hjorth Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 50
• Madison Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 52

On each Monday following the festivals, the streets surrounding the festival site and Interstate 10 will be busy as more than 40,000 campers leave the area. Consider the following alternate routes:

• North and south travel, use Washington Street, Jackson Street, Calhoun Street and Golf Center Parkway

• East and west travel, use Highway 111, Fred Waring Drive, Miles Avenue, Dr. Carreon Boulevard and Avenue 54

Specific locations have been set up for Uber:

• Avenue 49 and Monroe Street on the southwest corner
• Friends & Family/Taxi Drop Off; Pick Up: Avenue 52 and Madison Street on the northeast corner

There will be NO pedestrian or pedestrian festival access:

• Monroe Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 52
• Madison Street between Avenue 50 and Avenue 52

Approved pedestrian access:

• Corner of Avenue 49 and Monroe Street
• Corner of Avenue 52 and Madison Street
• Corner of Avenue 52 and Monroe Street
• Corner of Avenue 50 and Madison Street

Additional notes from the city of Indio:

• Golf carts are not permitted on any of the above-listed streets.
• Approximately 40,000 guests will be shuttled to and from the concert venue from various locations throughout the Coachella Valley to help ease traffic conditions.
• Noise from the festival site could begin on each Thursday prior to the festival dates, due to sound checks and on-site camping guests.

For concert logistics, questions or issues, call 760-391-4112 or email concertinfo@indio.org.