The City of Coachella, in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 8 and the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), proposes the construction of a new interchange at State Route 86 (SR-86) and Avenue 50, approximately 1.1 miles north of the existing Avenue 52 intersection and 1.95 miles south of the existing Dillon Road interchange. The proposed project would convert portion of SR-86 from existing expressway to freeway with a new overcrossing structure and access ramps, which would accommodate traffic for existing and planned development in the area. The project would also improve safety and traffic operations by enhancing level of service (LOS) on the adjacent SR-86/Dillon Road interchange and SR-86/Avenue 52 intersection.

The proposed improvements include realignment and widening of Avenue 50 from the existing two-lane roadway to a six-lane major arterial, and realignment of Tyler Street on both the east and west side of SR-86. The project would also improve public safety and mobility by constructing another new bridge spanning over Coachella Valley Stormwater Channel (CVSC), replacing the existing low water crossing, and eliminating flood-related hazards during inclement weather events.