Motorists traveling north on Interstate 15 and the I-15 Express Lanes during the afternoons and weekends will soon see some significant changes in the area near State Route 56/Ted Williams Parkway.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) announced that a new access ramp will be opened the week of May 16 that will allow drivers to exit the northbound I-15 Express Lanes into the main lanes of the freeway. The new connector should help traffic flow more smoothly for those heading north of the I-15/SR-56/Ted Williams Parkway Interchange.

The access ramp will be located just north of Poway Road. It will take motorists from the right lane of the northbound I-15 Express Lanes and guide them into a dedicated lane along the median of the main freeway. Drivers heading for SR-56/Ted Williams Parkway and Carmel Mountain Road will continue in the Express Lanes' left-hand lane to reach their destination.

“If someone misses the new access ramp, they will still be able to get on I-15 from the Ted Williams Parkway onramp,” said Orso-Delgado.

Northbound I-15 lanes will be shifted to the right to make room for the access ramp lane from the Express Lanes to the freeway. This new lane will extend past Carmel Mountain Road and be marked as a carpool lane. It will prohibit motorists from exiting to the main lanes or entering from the main lanes.

“FasTrak customers will be allowed to use this lane along with the carpoolers and transit riders” said Gary Gallegos, San Diego Association of Governments Executive Director.

I-15 Express Lane motorists wanting access to Carmel Mountain Road will be directed to Ted Williams Parkway. Commuters can then access I-15 from the Ted Williams Parkway onramp and exit at Carmel Mountain Road.

Commuters are asked to be patient and drive with extra caution as the changes occur.