I-5/SR 56 Interchange Project

The Interstate 5 (I-5)/State Route 56 (SR-56) Interchange Project will improve mobility on I-5 between Del Mar Heights Rd and Carmel Mountain Rd, and on SR-56 between I-5 and Carmel Valley Rd.

Improvements are being constructed in two phases

Phase 1

Construct an HOV Operational Lane in each direction on SR-56 between El Camino Real and just before Carmel Valley Rd. Completion is expected early summer 2025.

Phase 2

Build a direct connector from westbound SR-56 to northbound I-5, replace and enhance the Del Mar Heights Road overcrossing, and construct an additional westbound lane on SR-56. Currently unfunded.

Improving Traffic on I-5/SR-56

Phase 1 of the I-5/SR-56 Interchange Project implements a complete corridor system to create more local street and regional mobility. It aims to reduce the incentive to use local streets as a bypass for congestion and creates a facility that supports future transit as approved in the 2021 San Diego Regional Transportation Plan.

As part of the Regional Plan for SR-56, Caltrans will soon complete an eight-mile connection between the SR-56 Bike Path to the North Coast bike trail and the Sorrento Valley Transit Station.

What to Expect

Beginning February 2023, night work will sawcut the pavement edges, revise the striping configuration and place temporary concrete barriers along the inner shoulder to allow construction crews to operate safely within the median. HOV lane construction will follow in the median during the day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. At this stage crews should not be requiring frequent lane or ramp closures. Intermittent single lane closures may be required.