I-805 North Project Frequently Asked Questions

1. What area of Interstate 805 does the I-805 North project cover?

The five-stage project area begins just south of SR 52 to just north of Mira Mesa Boulevard in San Diego. Improvements to this corridor will provide expanded transportation choices for travelers in the region.

2. What freeway and transit improvements are planned for the northern portion of I-805?

The first stage will construct one Carpool/High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane in the median in each direction, north of SR 52 to north of Mira Mesa Blvd., and the south half of the Carroll Canyon Direct Access Ramp (DAR). In stages two through four, the project will widen the I-805 to accommodate four Carpool/HOV Lanes from SR 52 to La Jolla Village Drive, and two Carpool/HOV Lanes from La Jolla Village Dr. to north of Mira Mesa Blvd. to provide more reliable travel scheduling and rapid travel times. The project will construct DARs at Nobel Dr. and Carroll Canyon Rd., to allow commuters to easily access the Carpool/HOV Lanes, and add a Park & Ride lot at the southwest corner of I-805 and Nobel Dr. The project also reconfigures the Governor Drive interchange by relocating the southbound entrance ramp to the northwest quadrant. This will minimize the conflict with southbound I-805 traffic merging on SR 52.  In stage five, the project will construct a direct freeway-to-freeway Carpool/HOV connector in the median, from westbound SR 52 to northbound I-805 and southbound I-805 to eastbound SR 52, which will also accommodate travel in the reverse direction. Together, these improvements will serve as an integral part of an expanded transportation network that will meet the future needs of travelers in our region.

3. Will this project succeed in reducing traffic congestion?

Increasing choices for travelers will help to reduce traffic congestion by encouraging carpooling and providing more convenient access to public transportation.

4. How much will the entire I-805 North Project cost and where does the money come from?

The cost of the total project is approximately $587 million, which includes preliminary plans, environmental studies, design, and construction. The funding will come from federal, state, and local programs, including TransNet, the regional half-cent sales tax for transportation administered by SANDAG. The I-805 North project is another example of the TransNet transportation tax delivering on our promise to the region.

5. When will construction start and when will all the improvements be completed?

The I-805 North project will be constructed as five separate stages beginning in winter 2012 Stage one should be completed by winter 2016. Stages two through four are scheduled for 2015-2020 and stage five is scheduled to be completed in 2040, pending funding availability.

6. Why is this project needed?

The population along the I-805 North Corridor is anticipated to increase by nearly 40 percent over the next 30 years, leading to added congestion. Commercial truck traffic is also likely to increase due to federal trade agreements.  The I-805 North project will play an integral role in meeting the future needs of travelers in our region.

7. What will the traffic impacts be to nearby surface streets during construction?

The impacts to nearby surface streets will vary throughout construction.  Streets that may be impacted include Governor Drive, Nobel Drive, La Jolla Village Drive, Sorrento Valley Road, Mira Mesa Boulevard, and Vista Sorrento Parkway. Caltrans is committed to minimizing the impacts to nearby surface streets during construction.

8. What can I expect during construction?

Throughout construction, you can expect to see temporary freeway lane and ramp closures, temporary lane restriping, reduced shoulders and lane widths, and work along the freeway median. Signage will be positioned along the freeway to notify motorists about construction detours and to provide safety information.  Safety is Caltrans’ top priority and every precaution will be taken to ensure the protection of both workers and motorists during construction.

Motorists can expect some traffic delays during construction and are encouraged give themselves extra time to arrive at their destination. Motorists are also encouraged to utilize carpools and vanpools when possible. For further information on carpool and vanpool opportunities, please visit 511sd.com/icommute.

9. How will Caltrans notify the community about construction?

In an effort to keep the community informed, Caltrans will provide regular updates on construction hours, closures and detours through signage, notices and website postings. 

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