Palm Springs Completes $2.2M Wind Wall Project Along Gene Autry Trail

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The city of Palm Springs has completed construction of a $2.2 million, 590-foot-long brick wall along North Gene Autry Trail. The wall, which stands up to 14.5 feet tall, is located in an area known for strong winds and blowing sand that create sand dunes on the roadway and reduce visibility. The project was approved by the City Council in April 2025 and funded primarily through Measure A, a voter-approved half-cent sales tax.

Why it matters

The new wind wall is expected to help improve driver safety and visibility along a stretch of Gene Autry Trail that has long been plagued by blowing sand and poor conditions. The project is part of the city's broader efforts to address transportation and infrastructure challenges in the region.

The details

The wall replaced an existing temporary wooden barrier and incorporated design elements from a similar project on the Indian Canyon Bridge. Construction required biological monitoring to protect local species like the Coachella Valley Milk-Vetch and Fringe-Toed Lizard. The city plans to evaluate the wall's effectiveness over the next two years to determine if additional barriers are needed along the corridor.

• The City Council approved the $2.2 million project in April 2025.
• Construction on the wind wall began in June 2025 and was completed this week.

What’s next

The city plans to evaluate the wall's effectiveness over the next two years to determine if additional barriers are needed along the Gene Autry Trail corridor.