Roads & Infrastructure

I-5 / 805 Expansion Project

In response to the enormous increase in traffic volume over the last 15 years, from 75,000 vehicles per day to 214,000 vehicles per day, CalTrans plans to widen I-5 from the I-5/I-805 junction to Del Mar Heights Road. The project is an effort to reduce current and future traffic congestion at the I-5/I-805 junction and along local streets.

The widening project will add three lanes outside and separated from the existing freeways from the I-5/I-805 junction to Carmel Valley Road designed for through truck traffic and motorists using SR-56 and Carmel Mountain Road. Widening will also occur between Carmel Valley Road and Del Mar Heights Road increasing to 12 lanes in an effort to provide additional capacity for cars and slow-moving trucks.

A new locally funded interchange is also planned for construction at Carmel Mountain Road. A traffic management plan has been devised which will be implemented in March of 2002 and end in January 2007 upon completion of the project, and will keep motorists informed of construction via changeable message signs, and ground mounted signs to ensure minimal congestion. An emergency hotline will also be announced prior to construction in an effort to assist motorists with any difficulties or concerns they may have during the construction. Additional information concerning this project may be obtained by calling CalTrans at 619-688-6699.