I-15/SR-78 Managed Lanes Direct Connectors and Woodland Parkway Interchange Project
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In fall 2019, Caltrans, in partnership with SANDAG and the City of San Marcos, began the environmental process to evaluate Managed Lanes Direct Connectors between I-15 and SR-78.
New direct connectors are intended to improve connectivity and traffic flow on and between the two corridors, improve traffic flow and travel times, increase access to homes and jobs, and improve the overall quality of life in North San Diego County.
The proposed connectors are listed as a top priority among direct connector projects in the SANDAG Regional Plan - a blueprint already in effect that is enhancing the region's quality of life through equitable, sustainable, and accessible transportation.
Project Overview
The I-15/SR-78 Managed Lanes Connector and Woodland Interchange project continues to be a collaborative effort between Caltrans, SANDAG, and the City of San Marcos to build new direct connector ramps between the existing I-15 Managed Lanes and three miles of newly proposed Managed Lanes on SR 78. This is a multimodal set of improvements as a larger solution for the Eastern gateway which also includes a SR-78 Asset Management project.
Why are there only three miles of Managed Lanes on SR 78? Why not connect to I-5?
Early planning-level traffic studies and travel pattern data indicate that the east end of the SR 78 corridor produces most of the traffic congestion and over 50% of westbound traffic from the I-15/SR 78 interchange exit within the first three exits along westbound SR 78. The proposed three miles is the optimal length to improve operations and travel time reliability quickly and efficiently. Additionally, the SANDAG Regional Plan proposes a separate project to extend the Managed Lanes on SR 78 an additional 11 miles west (San Marcos Boulevard to El Camino Real) by 2035. The scope, need, and purpose of such a large project will vary considerably in size, cost, and time. Both projects are included in the North County Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan (CMCP).
Residential and economic growth along the east/west SR 78 corridor in the cities of Escondido and San Marcos has strained connections to and from I-15, a major north-south managed lanes system in San Diego County. This strain often results in increased traffic congestion and travel delays for residents and commuters. By extending the existing Managed Lanes on I-15 and adding new direct connectors, the project would help improve connectivity and travel times, increase access to homes and jobs, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents and visitors in North San Diego County.
In October 2020, Caltrans released the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the I-15/SR-78 Managed Lanes Direct Connectors Project, which kicked off a 30-day public scoping comment period. Early public feedback on the project was critical to helping the project team develop a comprehensive list of environmental topics to study, ensure community concerns are addressed, and identify opportunities to improve the project. The public scoping comment period ended on Friday, November 20, 2020.
During this time, the project team collected nearly 90 public scoping comments, which Caltrans, as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), took into consideration and will summarize in the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA). Key themes heard across the public feedback included general impacts on traffic, traffic patterns on I-15 near the Valley Parkway on- and off-ramps, Managed Lanes operations and pricing, noise, landscaping, air quality, and proposed bike and pedestrian facilities.
Goals
- Provide reliable and sustainable transportation options, reduce travel times, improve mobility and access to jobs, housing, and services within North County communities near the project.
- Improve multi-modal access and connectivity.
- Improve operations of existing I-15 Managed Lanes by providing direct connectors between I-15 and SR-78 to accommodate high-occupancy vehicles, clean air vehicles, and bus rapid transit.
- Improve interchange operations and safety within the project corridor by reducing vehicle weaving to/from general purpose connectors on I-15.
- Implement operational improvements (managed/auxiliary lanes) to reduce “cut through” traffic from I-15 through local communities.
Project Features
The I-15/SR 78 Managed Lanes Connector and Woodland Interchange Project work will include:
- Managed Lane direct connectors between I-15 and SR-78
- Three miles of Managed Lanes in each direction on SR-78 between the I-15/SR-78 interchange and San Marcos Boulevard
- An eastbound auxiliary lane between Nordahl Road and I-15
- A westbound auxiliary lane between Nordahl Road and Woodland Parkway/Barham Drive
- Relocating the eastbound SR-78 on-ramp from Barham Drive
- Widening and realigning Barham Drive from La Moree Road to Woodland Parkway
- Enhancing the Woodland Parkway undercrossing
- Constructing a bike facility on Barham Drive/Woodland Parkway
Project Benefits
- A reliable transportation option that shortens travel times, encourages multi-occupant vehicle travel, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions
- Improved access to key residential and employment centers
- Support for state and regional goals to move more people while reducing total number of vehicle miles traveled
Project Status
The I-15/SR 78 Managed Lanes Connector and Woodland Interchange Project is currently in the environmental review process. The EIR/EA was released for public review on May 19 and is available for comment through July 3, 2025.
A digital copy of the Draft EIR/EA can be downloaded here.
Copies of the document are also available to review at the following locations until July 3:
- Caltrans District 11 District Office, (4050 Taylor Street, San Diego, CA 92110).
- San Diego County Library – (San Marcos Branch, 2 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069).
Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Assessment (EA) can be made here: Us.planengage.com/15_78_ML
To inform the public, interested parties, and stakeholders about the Draft Environmental Document, a public hearing will be held at the City of San Marcos Civic Center at 3 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069, on Thursday, June 5, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All comments received will become part of the official record for the I-15/SR- 78 Managed Lanes Direct Connector and Woodland Interchange Project.
Caltrans and SANDAG staff will be available at the hearing to receive comments and answer questions about the project, an important early step in linking Interstate 5 and Interstate 15 with managed lane options.
You may also submit comments in several other ways:
- Email: Matthew.Voss@dot.ca.gov
- Hotline: (888) 547-1161
- Mail your comment:
Matthew Voss
c/o Caltrans District 11
4050 Taylor Street (MS 242)
San Diego, CA 92110
We appreciate your feedback!
As work on the environmental analysis continues, progress is underway to prepare for these corridor improvements. Studies to evaluate existing and future highway noise levels are ongoing, with field measurements currently taking place including biology, historical resource, community impact, and traffic studies to understand the construction site and the environment can be expanded based on public comments.
A final Environmental Document is anticipated to be released in summer 2026. Design is anticipated to begin in 2026. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2030, pending funding.
An EIR is required under The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and an EA is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
- Environmental: 2019–2026
- Design: 2026–2030
- Construction: 2030–2035 Pending Funding
Project Cost
The project is estimated to cost approximately $490 million for construction.
Contact
- Email:
CT.Public.Information.D11@dot.ca.gov - Call:
(619) 688-6670