Caltrans Invests $623 Million in San Diego Freeway Projects

Categories: CharityCommunityEvents/What's HappeningNews

Ongoing construction on San Diego's freeways to enhance safety and infrastructure.

News Summary

The California Department of Transportation has allocated $623 million for five major freeway projects starting this fall in San Diego County. Key improvements will be made on Interstate 5, Interstate 805, and State Route 78, focusing on enhancing safety and infrastructure for motorists. The largest project, costing $222 million, will revamp I-805 over three years. Additional upgrades include resurfacing SR-78 and improving I-5. Motorists should prepare for traffic disruptions during construction, with regular updates from Caltrans on impacts to travel.

San Diego, CA – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced a significant investment of $623 million for five major freeway construction projects set to commence this fall on San Diego County’s busiest highways. This funding is intended to improve transportation infrastructure and enhance safety for the region’s motorists.

The construction projects will affect heavily trafficked corridors including Interstate 5 (I-5), Interstate 805 (I-805), and State Route 78 (SR-78). Ann Fox, the director of Caltrans District 11, highlighted the necessity of this construction work as vital to maintaining an effective transportation system in Southern California.

The largest undertaking is a $222 million revamp of I-805, stretching from the Mexican border to State Route 15. This work is projected to commence this fall and will span a duration of three years. Another significant project will involve the resurfacing of 18 miles of SR-78 from Oceanside to Escondido, budgeted at $126 million.

I-5 will see a $114 million upgrade, focusing on improvements from National City to Del Mar that aim to enhance ride quality and extend the lifespan of the pavement. Additionally, two extra projects on I-805 include the development of traffic management systems and the repair of drainage infrastructure to mitigate flooding and prevent sinkholes.

As part of the safety improvements, electronic signage and enhanced lighting systems will be installed, ensuring better visibility in low-light conditions and during traffic incidents. Orange construction signs are already visible on I-805 and SR-78, alerting drivers of the upcoming work zones.

Most of these construction initiatives are expected to reach completion by next year, except for the I-805 project, which will have a prolonged timeline of two to four years. Motorists in the area should prepare for significant traffic disruptions, including lane closures and potential full highway shutdowns over weekends during the construction period.

Caltrans will be providing regular updates on traffic impacts as the work progresses to help keep motorists informed. In an unrelated project, part of Friars Road will be closed from 9 p.m. on Friday until 9 p.m. on Saturday due to the Morena Pump Station project, which is associated with the Pure Water San Diego initiative.

After the closure, the westbound lane on Friars Road, which had been closed since 2021, will reopen, while the eastbound lane will remain closed until fall 2025. These lane closures aim to facilitate the construction of necessary diversion structures for efficient wastewater management.

The California Transportation Commission has allocated nearly $1.7 billion for safety and mobility projects statewide, with $230 million designated for improvements specifically in San Diego County. This funding is derived from Senate Bill 1 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, emphasizing the continued investment in California’s transportation infrastructure and job creation.

In an additional update, construction crews are currently replacing the bridge deck on eastbound Interstate 8 over El Cajon Boulevard, resulting in the closure of all lanes until 5 a.m. on Monday.