Each quarter, SANDAG issues a transportation progress report to its Board of Directors to keep them apprised of the many projects underway in the region. By leveraging state, federal, and local TransNet dollars, SANDAG funds transportation improvements and services designed to give commuters more choices and reduce growing traffic congestion. Information from the second quarter of 2008 is available below.
Highway Projects
A 4.5-mile long section of the I-15 Express Lanes between SR 56 and Rancho Bernardo Road opened ahead of schedule to users in September. The Sabre Springs/Rancho Peñasquitos Direct Access Ramp that leads users and transit vehicles directly to the Express Lanes from the transit station at Sabre Springs also opened. The remaining 3.5 miles of the I-15 Express Lanes between Rancho Bernardo Road and southern Escondido is scheduled to open to users in early 2009.
The I-5 widening project between Via de la Valle and the San Elijo Lagoon was completed in June. Two high occupancy vehicle lanes were opened to users prior to the start of the U.S. Open Golf Tournament and the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar, thus helping reduce congestion levels in the area. The reconstruction of the Lomas Santa Fe interchange is scheduled for completion in late 2009.
Transit and Bikeway Projects
The Sabre Springs/Rancho Peñasquitos Transit Station off I-15 opened to users in September concurrent with the opening of the new I-15 Express Lanes. Bus routes 820, 860, and selected trips of the 810 originating in Poway, Rancho Bernardo, and Escondido will be stopping at this station.
Construction of a 6.7 mile segment of the Inland Rail Trail currently under construction between the Escondido Transit Center and Pacific Street in San Marcos is scheduled for completion this fall.
Traffic and Demand Management
Caltrans completed the installation of the Closed-Circuit Television Incident Identification System project along I-5 from SR 94 to I-8, and on I-805 from SR 94 to I-8. This equipment will help staff at the Caltrans Traffic Operations Center identify and respond to congestion.
The television broadcast element of the 511 system is complete.
The Freeway Service Patrol assisted approximately 15,580 motorists, about 20 percent more than last quarter.
Average ridership in the region’s 585 vanpools was approximately 8.2 passengers per vanpool, with 4,820 daily passengers participating in the program.
511 reached its millionth call on July 2, 2008. | 
