District: District 11 — San Diego and Imperial Counties
Contact: Stephen Welborn
Phone: (619) 688-6670
Public encouraged to provide feedback through July 3
SAN DIEGO — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 11 released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Interstate 15 (I-15)/State Route 78 (SR-78) Managed Lanes Connector and Woodland Interchange project on Monday. The I-15/SR-78 Project is a partnership with the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the City of San Marcos.
The release of the Draft EIR/EA begins a 45-day public comment period and serves as the second opportunity for local, regional, state, and federal government agencies, and members of the public to provide input on the proposed project. During the comment period, the public is invited to provide feedback on project elements as well as propose additional study areas that Caltrans should consider when developing the Final EIR/EA. The public can provide comments through July 3.
The project proposes to build a managed lanes connector ramp at the I-15/SR-78 interchange and continue managed lanes on SR-78 through San Marcos in San Diego County. The existing I-15 Managed Lanes would be extended west on SR-78 for three miles in both directions. 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 Barham Drive and Woodland Parkway Interchange would be reconstructed to accommodate the managed lanes and add a fully separated pathway for bicyclists and pedestrians. The Woodland Parkway improvements will support local land use decisions, such as expansion of California State University San Marcos, residential and employment centers, and healthcare facilities. This project is a multimodal set of improvements developed by Caltrans, SANDAG, and local cities as part of a larger effort solution for the Eastern gateway, which also includes the SR-78 Asset Management project.
The project has an estimated cost of $490 million and is currently anticipated for construction in 2030, pending funding.
Caltrans and SANDAG staff will be available to receive comments and answer questions about the project, an important early step in linking Interstate 5 (I-5) and I-15 with managed lane options.
To inform the public, interested parties, and stakeholders about the Draft EIR/EA, 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.
In addition to the public meeting, or in lieu of attending, the public may also submit comments in several other ways:
- Online: bit.ly/I15-SR78ManagedLanes or Us.planengage.com/15_78_ML
- Email: Matthew.Voss@dot.ca.gov or 11_2T240_project_inbox@dot.ca.gov.
- Hotline: 619-533-4277
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Submit a comment in writing by July 3, 2025, to:
Matthew Voss, Senior Environmental Planner
Caltrans District 11
4050 Taylor Street, MS 242,
San Diego, CA 92110.
An EIR is required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and an EA is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Draft EIR/EA is available for review online. Copies of the document are available to review at the following locations until July:
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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