News Summary
This weekend, a five-mile section of southbound Interstate 5 (I-5) in San Diego will be closed for maintenance work starting Friday night at 9 p.m. The closure, between State Route 52 and Mission Bay Drive, aims to replace concrete sections and improve drainage. While the closures may affect travel, Caltrans will provide alternative routes and maintain access to key exits for local motorists. This is the first of several planned closures as part of a $1.6 billion infrastructure improvement project in the region.
San Diego – A section of southbound Interstate 5 (I-5) in San Diego will be closed this weekend for maintenance work. The closure will affect a five-mile stretch between State Route 52 (SR-52) and Mission Bay Drive, starting at 9 p.m. on Friday and concluding at 5 a.m. on Monday. This closure is part of a series of planned improvements aimed at enhancing the infrastructure of the state’s highways.
The reasons for this weekend’s closure include the replacement of concrete sections and improvements to drainage culverts, which are vital for maintaining the safety and functionality of the roadway. To assist motorists, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has confirmed that portable changeable message signs will be positioned along the affected routes to notify drivers of the closure and recommend alternative routes.
Motorists are advised to reroute their travels by taking southbound Interstate 805 (I-805) to State Route 163 (SR-163), proceeding west on Interstate 8 (I-8), which will reconnect them back to I-5 and provide access to beach areas. However, it is important to note that entrances and exits at Genesee Avenue, westbound La Jolla Village Drive, and Nobel Drive will remain open, easing local vehicular movement. Conversely, exits at Gilman Drive and eastbound La Jolla Village Drive will be closed during this period.
For vehicles traveling south of Gilman Drive, detours will be in place, directing them to eastbound SR-52. Additionally, traffic on westbound SR-52 will be redirecting to either La Jolla Parkway or northbound I-5 during the closure hours. Despite the construction activities, all southbound Metropolitan Transit Service bus routes originating from La Jolla and University Town Center (UTC) will continue to operate as scheduled, providing reliable public transit for those in need.
This weekend’s closure marks the first of several planned full closures along I-5. There are three additional closures anticipated before the end of the year, as Caltrans continues its efforts to improve critical infrastructure in the San Diego region. The I-5 project is part of a broader $1.6 billion investment dedicated to infrastructure improvements across San Diego County, largely funded by federal and state contributions.
In total, $623 million specifically targets enhancement projects on I-5, I-805, and SR-78, highlighting the commitment to ensuring safe and efficient travel for residents and visitors alike. Funding for these infrastructure improvements totals $113,745,800, with the majority of these funds—$102,618,300—coming from federal sources and the remaining $11,127,500 sourced from state funds.
Caltrans emphasizes that the ongoing work is subject to weather conditions, traffic incidents, and various work-related circumstances, which might influence the planned schedule of these closures. Motorists are encouraged to monitor travel conditions and make use of public transportation options during the construction periods to alleviate congestion and ensure safer travel not only for themselves but for everyone on the road.
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego
- 10 News
- CBS 8
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Times of San Diego
- Wikipedia: Interstate 5
- Google Search: Interstate 5 closures
- Google Scholar: Interstate 5 San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Interstate 5
- Google News: San Diego traffic closures
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
