News Summary
Northbound Interstate 5 from Interstate 8 to Mission Bay Drive in San Diego has reopened ahead of schedule following a full closure for roadwork and culvert replacement. The reopening occurred nearly a full day earlier than planned. The construction is part of a larger $1.6 billion investment aimed at improving California’s highway infrastructure and safety. Local businesses near the construction zone were warned about potential noise and lighting disruptions, and further closures are expected as the project progresses to upgrade the freeway system.
San Diego, CA – A section of northbound Interstate 5 from Interstate 8 to Mission Bay Drive has reopened ahead of schedule following a full closure over the weekend. Caltrans announced that the reopening occurred nearly a full day earlier than planned, which was initially set for 5 a.m. on Monday, September 29, after the closure began at 9 p.m. on Friday, September 26.
The roadwork involved significant construction activities including roadwork and culvert replacement along the freeway in San Diego. During the closure, drivers were rerouted onto State Route 163 (SR-163), State Route 15 (SR-15), and Interstate 805 (I-805). The closure is part of the ongoing I-5 Asset Management Project, which includes multiple planned full freeway closures.
This particular construction effort is part of a broader $1.6 billion investment in San Diego County, focusing on improving the I-5, I-805, and SR-78 corridors. The specific segment of the project aims to rehabilitate and resurface pavement, extend the service life of existing pavement, and incorporate various performance and safety upgrades.
The total budget allocated for these improvements is $113,745,800, sourced from the state Highway Operation Protection Program. This includes $102,618,300 in federal funds and $11,127,500 in state funds. Local businesses near Damon Avenue were forewarned about the potential for noise and lighting disruptions due to ongoing construction activities, highlighting the project’s impact on the immediate environment.
Several on-ramps were closed to manage the diverted traffic more effectively. These include the Moore Street on-ramp in Old Town, on-ramps at Camino Del Rio West, and Sea World Drive-Tecolote Road, while the on-ramp from Mission Bay Drive remained accessible. To assist motorists during the closure, portable changeable message signs were deployed, providing information about the closure and suggested detour routes.
Caltrans indicated that the schedule for construction may be impacted by weather conditions and traffic incidents. The completion of this phase of construction is essential for enhancing the overall infrastructure and safety of the region’s freeway system. Following this weekend’s successful reopening, further closures are anticipated as the project progresses.
This project represents a crucial component of California’s long-term strategy to maintain and improve its roadways amidst growing traffic demands and infrastructure needs. As the state’s population continues to expand, such enhancements are necessary to ensure safety and efficiency on busy highways.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
I-5 Reopens Early After Weekend Construction Closure
21-Year-Old Arrested After Life-Threatening Crash In San Diego
I-5 Closure for Maintenance Work in San Diego This Weekend
Weekend Events in San Diego: Cultural, Music, and More
I-5 Southbound Closure in San Diego for Road Improvements
I-5 Southbound Lanes Closure This Weekend for Repairs
Fatal Crash on I-5 Freeway Leads to Fire and Traffic Chaos
Pilot Makes Emergency Landing on Interstate 805
Major Traffic Disruptions Expected in San Diego This Weekend
Fatal Accident on Southbound I-5 Freeway Near Oceanside
Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego
- Wikipedia: Interstate 5
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Google Search: I-5 construction San Diego
- CBS 8
- Google Scholar: California road infrastructure
- 10 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: traffic management
- Fox 5 San Diego Update
- Google News: I-5 San Diego news
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.
