District: 11 – San Diego and Imperial counties
Contact: Stephen.Welborn@dot.ca.gov
Phone: (619) 913-9452
SAN DIEGO – Construction of an HOV Operational Lane in each direction on State Route 56 (SR-56) between El Camino Real and just before Carmel Valley Road begins this week.
Night work will start the project by preparing for construction activities, including pavement edge saw cutting and temporary barrier installation. Daytime HOV lane construction will follow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with minimal lane closures anticipated.
Construction of the HOV lanes is phase one of the two phase Interstate 5 (I-5)/SR-56 Interchange Project to 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.
Phase two plans to construct a direct connector from westbound SR-56 to northbound I-5, enhancement of the Del Mar Heights Road overcrossing, and addition of a westbound lane on SR-56.
The project aims to create a seamless corridor system, discouraging the use of local streets for congestion relief and supporting future transit initiatives outlined in the 2021 San Diego Regional Transportation Plan.
Construction of the HOV lanes is funded by $23 million in developer impact fees and is projected to be complete by summer 2025. Phase 2 is currently unfunded.
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.
Please be Work Zone Alert if traveling in the area and 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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