District: District 11 — San Diego and Imperial Counties
Contact: Barbara.C.Moreno@dot.ca.gov
Phone: (619) 688-6670
5-Stage Project Due to Last Through Spring 2024
SAN DIEGO — Caltrans construction crews working on the Interstate 8 pavement replacement and road improvement project from Viejas Creek to Pine Valley will reconfigure the lane reductions through the construction site.
Instead of two construction closures, crews will taper traffic into one single closure, taking motorists from three lanes to one for approximately three miles through the construction site, beginning the week of November 7.
Currently, in Stage One, the project has involved slab repair, shoulder strengthening, and stormwater work from the Viejas Creek Bridge to the Sweetwater Bridge. As the project enters the next phase of work, set for 12 weeks, travelers will notice barrel cones that will take away the number one lane (left lane), merging vehicles into the number two lane (center lane). A second taper will appear less than a mile later to merge cars into the number three lane (right lane). Travelers will remain in one lane of traffic for 3.16 miles.
Most of the work will take place on weekdays and overnight.
Vista Point is a project staging area and remains closed until work is complete.
The Eastbound I-8 Pine Valley Pavement Project will improve 10 miles of the roadway from Viejas Creek Road to just west of Pine Valley Creek Bridge. Work on Viejas Creek Road to SR-79 will replace the right lane and outside shoulder with Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP), the left shoulder with hot mixed Asphalt, and install drainage improvements.
CRCP is placing steel reinforcing bars within the concrete along the length of the lanes. CRCP naturally forms tight transverse cracks to transfer loads evenly. The result is a continual, smooth-riding surface capable of withstanding the heaviest loads and the most adverse environmental conditions. The life span of CRCP pavement may be up to 70 years, far exceeding existing road surfaces. This means a better driver experience with less cost and maintenance time for highway workers exposed to live traffic.
The portion of the project from SR-79 to just west of Pine Valley Creek Bridge will replace the right two lanes and right shoulder with CRCP. The work also includes replacing/upgrading guard rails and repairing bridge rails on five bridges, and installing broadband conduit. The estimated total project cost is $46 million, funded by state and federal sources, including SB 1, the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Act funding.
Motorists are reminded to be Work Zone Alert if traveling in the area and to watch for highway workers and moving construction equipment.
The construction schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions, traffic incidents, or other construction-related reasons.
For real-time traffic information including traffic speed, lane and road closures due to construction and maintenance activities, and more, go to http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
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