UPDATED TRAFFIC ALERT: Valley Thoroughfare Now Open

Update 2:55 p.m.: Palm Springs police confirm to to Patch that Gene Autry Trail is now back open.

Original Story as follows:

When one Valley artery opens, another closes.

At least that's the case after Monday's strong winds led to the closure of Vista Chino when a power pole was snapped in half.  Though that road is now back open for Valley drivers, Gene Autry Trail is now closed, according to Palm Springs police Sgt. MIke Kovaleff.

Gene Autry Trail was closed in both directions between Via Escuela and Interstate 10 around 9:30 p.m. Monday, Kovaleff said, adding that high winds and blowing sand were "causing significant hazards," and street maintenance workers went to the area.

"Due to current weather conditions, an estimated time for the roadway to reopen is not known," Kovaleff said.

Motorists were asked to use North Indian Canyon Drive or Date Palm Drive and Vista Chino as alternate routes.

Vista Chino, which was closed Monday east of Gene Autry and west of Landau Boulevard, reopened at 7 a.m. Tuesday. 

The Coachella Valley under a National Weather Service wind advisory until 2 p.m. Tuesday. Wind gusts were expected to reach 45 mph, according to the NWS.

– City News Service contributed to this report.