SR 56 & I-5 Connectors

by Scott Peters
September 2003

In July I traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with lawmakers to seek funding for western connectors between Interstate 5 and State Route 56, set to open in a year. SR56 is still on track to open in July of 2004 and we have worked with Caltrans and SANDAG to ensure that the completion of SR56 is the number one transportation priority for the entire region. And, I have been working with the local congressional delegation and community leaders to make sure that the connections on the western end of the freeway are built in a timely manner so that we have a fully functioning freeway

The history of SR 56 is a story of how not to build a highway. At the end of the years of wrangling over funding, environmental issues, permitting and community disputes, the highway was designed and approved without direct connectors from and to the northern portions of I-5. Today, even as construction proceeds, we are trying to retrofit the highway with a ramp project that ultimately could cost $139 million.

Through a dedicated and creative collaboration of Caltrans, the City of San Diego and community members, we have devised a three-phase implementation plan for the western connectors. Phase one is to improve City streets by adding turn lanes and implementing signal timing and coordination. Phase two is the northbound connector, to move traffic from west to north. Phase three is the connector that will move southbound traffic to eastbound 56.

This year's federal discretionary highway funding for the entire nation is approximately the cost of these ramps. Our best long term strategy for funding the entire project is to get it included in the reauthorization of the federal transit program that is expected to take place this year or next year. However, the reauthorization has brought out major policy disagreements within Congress, including how much money to allocate to transit projects versus roads. Many people I spoke with are skeptical that there will be any reauthorization until next year.

This year, we have asked for $5.2 million in federal funds to construct a dedicated exit lane for traffic headed west on 56 to I-5 north. Traffic engineers anticipate that when SR 56 opens next year, westbound traffic wanting to head north will be delayed by a line of cars wanting to get through the meters to head south. Our idea is to construct a third westbound lane beginning just east of Carmel Country Road, dedicated to northbound traffic. This would provide a direct conveyance to Carmel Valley Road where cars can proceed to I-5 north.

Now is a critical time in the federal budget process for us to make this request, and I felt it was important for me to be in Washington personally. I met with the entire San Diego delegation, as well as key members of the Appropriations Committee, which will make the final budget decisions. I hope that my visit will help bring these important projects forward for our neighborhoods, and I will continue to keep you up to date on the issue.