San Diego's major highways - I-5, I-805, and State Route 78 are receiving major infrastructure investments as part of a Caltrans-led progressive improvement plan.  The investment, totaling $623 million, will help reduce congestion, improve roadway safety, and improve the area's transportation system in anticipation of regional growth. 

As noted by the Times of San Diego, the construction is now underway on several segments of the county's most-traveled corridors. The projects include pavement rehabilitation, bridge work, and improvements to interchanges to support both congestion reduction and mobility for users throughout San Diego County.

Caltrans's official announcement explains how the funding will flow. Projects with funding include improvements to SR-78 in North County, new auxiliary lanes along I-805, and adding lanes and resurfacing parts of I-5. Caltrans intends to offer new technologies' infrastructure for real-time traffic management and driver safety. According to a report in CBS 8, all improvements will be done in phases to avoid disruption and while being able to accommodate commuter flow. 

All of this freeway investment is required in part due to the amount of activity happening in the San Diego region. As noted by ENR, there is a robust surge in both public and private construction regionally, including welcomed housing, civic developments, transportation hubs, etc., which all will further burden existing roads.

The improvements are part of Caltrans' comprehensive infrastructure plan across California. As reported by Contractor News, Caltrans has pledged $5 billion across the state, regardless if the costs exceed that amount, for expanding mobility and access to transportation, improving safety, and reinforcing infrastructure to adapt to climate change and population trends. The freeway reconstruction is taking place in San Diego, wherein similar investment is happening in other congested metropolitan areas, specifically Portland's I-5 Rose Quarter project, with costs projected to push upwards of $2 billion.

These infrastructure improvements are expected to create jobs and increase economic growth in San Diego. Caltrans local partners are using federal and state funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to provide maximum regional benefits. 

The construction of the various segments from the project is expected to last through 2027, with staged phases allowing each of the routes to open portions at a time. Meanwhile, Caltrans emphasizes that commuters check for closures and be notified about traffic advisories via its online platforms. 

The ability to modernize transportation systems will be a central factor regarding economic sustainability and the quality of life of the people in Southern California as their population continues to increase.