District: District 11 — San Diego and Imperial Counties
Contact: Barbara Cosio Moreno
Phone: (619) 688-6670
5-Stage Project now 30 Percent Complete
SAN DIEGO — Caltrans construction crews working on the eastbound Interstate 8 pavement replacement and road improvement project from Viejas Creek to Pine Valley will be reconfiguring lanes through the construction site.
As the project enters Stage 2, Phase 1 construction crews will begin lane striping for a long-term lane closure at E. Willows Road starting Monday, February 6.
Traffic will be diverted to the far right lane as the left and middle lanes are closed for lane striping. Then, by the middle of the week, traffic will be diverted to the left lane while the center, right lane, and right shoulder will be closed from Viejas Creek Bridge to Vista Point. This allows crews to begin pavement rehabilitation prep work on the middle and far right lanes.
The shoulder closure means access to bicyclists will close through November.
A free, ADA-compliant bike shuttle will be available to take riders from E. Willows Road to the Japatul Park & Ride. Riders can call Sea Breeze Shuttle for a ride at 619-971-1295. Hours are Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Riders are encouraged to call ahead as wait times could take up to 45 minutes.
From Vista Point eastward, all lanes will open for approximately five miles. Still, the construction zone will begin again at Las Bancas, where crews will taper traffic into one single lane for about one mile.
Vista Point serves as 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 drainage improvements.
CRCP is a process of placing steel reinforcing bars within the concrete along the entire 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 I-8 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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