I-15/SR-78 Express Lanes Direct Connectors Project

in progress

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 between the existing I-15 Managed Lanes and three miles of newly proposed Managed Lanes on SR-78 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. Continued residential and economic growth along the east-west SR-78 corridor in the cities of Escondido and San Marcos has strained its connection to and from the I-15 Express Lanes, a major north-south managed lanes system in San Diego County. This project is anticipated to ease that strain and provide more efficient travel along these corridors. Specifically, the project will improve connectivity by: Building Managed Lanes Direct Connectors between I-15 and SR-78, Extending three miles of Managed Lanes in each direction on SR-78 between the interchange and San Marcos Boulevard, Adding 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, Replacing the Woodland Parkway undercrossing, Constructing a bike facility on Barham Drive/Woodland Parkway.