State Route 52 Operational Improvements and Managed Lanes Project
- Event: Caltrans Project Status Presentation to the Mission Trails Regional Park Community Advisory Committee.
- Date/Time: November 10, 2026, at 6:30p.m.
- Location: Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor and Interpretive Center
One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119
Project Overview
The State Route 52 (SR-52) Operational Improvements and Managed Lanes Project proposes to construct improvements on SR-52 to encourage multi-modal transportation to achieve optimal operations for SR-52 and improve the safety and reliability of the transportation network for efficient regional movement of people and goods to and from East County, San Diego. The project limits are from the Mission Gorge Road Undercrossing at SR-52 to the I-15 connectors and include the Mast Boulevard and Santo Road interchanges.
Improvements for study include:
- Adding a westbound truck climbing/auxiliary lane,
- Adding reversible managed lanes in the median,
- Upgrade or relocate the existing two-way bikeway,
- Widen and lengthen Mast Boulevard westbound onramp,
- Adding a reversible transit-only lane in the median,
- Managed Lane (ML) in each direction from Santo Road to Mast Boulevard, and
- Increasing two to three lanes between SR-125 and Mast Boulevard in both directions, and
- Adding two reversible express lanes in the median.
Project Status
Environmental studies are anticipated to be complete in early 2029.
Funding and Schedule
The estimated cost of the project is $450 million, which is likely to be split into multiple phases. $24 million has been committed to fully fund the PA& ED and Design phases of the Project. The Project will continue to seek Design and Construction funding as the preferred alternative is selected and the scope and estimate become more defined. Funding sources include federal, state, and local funds.
- Adding a westbound truck-climbing/auxiliary lane from Mast Boulevard to Santo Road.
- Upgrade or relocate bike path to south side of SR-52.
- Reversible managed lanes between Santo Road and Mast Boulevard.
- Connect westbound auxiliary lane through Santo Road interchange with I-15 auxiliary lane.
- Increase westbound SR-52 from 2 lanes to 3 lanes from SR-125 to Mast Boulevard.
- Increase eastbound SR-52 from 2 lanes to 3 lanes from Mast Boulevard to east of the SD River Bridge.
- Widen and lengthen westbound Mast Boulevard on-ramp.
Goals
- Improve safety performance.
- Improve mobility by supporting land use with sustainable transportation.
- Improve transport throughout the region.
- Minimize environmental impacts.
- Improve accessibility to transit facilities.
Project Milestones
- March 2028 – Circulate Draft Environmental Document Externally
- December 2028 – Approve Final Environmental Document
- April 2029 – Begin Design
- November 2031 – Begin Construction
- November 2033 – Open to Traffic
Contact
Project Manager
Jake Stelten
Jake.stelten@dot.ca.gov
Communications Manager
Stephen Welborn
(619) 688-6670
Stephen.Welborn@dot.ca.gov
Caltrans
4050
Taylor Street
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 688-6670