Granite, a U.S.-based construction giant, has landed a contract worth approximately $38 million from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to upgrade the Cactus City Rest Area near Coachella. This project continues Granite’s push to improve key roadside infrastructure across the country.

Work is slated to begin in July 2025 and wrap up by September 2026. According to the company, the project will involve the demolition of outdated structures, extensive earthwork and grading, installation of modern drainage systems, paving of ramps and car parks, and construction of brand-new facilities.

Funding for the improvements will come from both state and federal sources, and Granite has confirmed the project will appear on its second-quarter order book. Strategically, this contract reinforces Granite’s strong presence in the Coachella Valley, with the work site located just 20 miles from its regional office and the nearby Desert Cities Asphalt Plant. The plant will supply 21,000 tons of hot-mix asphalt for paving the revamped car parks and ramps.

The upgrades are designed to offer travelers a cleaner, safer, and more modern stop along this busy desert stretch — a priority for Caltrans and Granite alike. The broader initiative is part of Granite’s efforts to elevate the quality and safety of roadside rest stops nationwide.

“Granite is expanding and diversifying our portfolio of similar projects,” said Bill Moore, Granite vice president of regional operations, in the release. “Recently, we have embarked on a comparable project at the John Wilkie Rest Area on Interstate 40, further solidifying our expertise in improving roadside amenities.”

The Cactus City contract adds to a string of recent wins for Granite in California. Last month, the company was awarded an estimated $66 million contract to improve the Caldwell Avenue interchange on State Route 99 (SR 99) in Visalia. That job includes building two new precast girder bridges — one over SR 99 and the other spanning the Union Pacific Railroad tracks — to improve traffic flow and safety.

Earlier this year, in February, Granite secured a $78 million contract to demolish and reconstruct a 320-foot-long concrete bridge in Orange County. These consecutive contracts highlight Granite’s growing dominance in complex infrastructure projects across California, from highways and interchanges to rest stops and bridges.

As California continues to invest heavily in transportation infrastructure, companies like Granite are positioning themselves as essential partners in delivering projects that enhance safety, connectivity, and travel efficiency across the state.

Originally reported by World Construction Network.