State Route 52 is a 17-mile east-west travel corridor that links I-5 in La Jolla to SR 67 in Santee. Along the way, it connects to Interstate 805, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, SR 163, I-15, Mission Trails Regional Park, and SR 125. Planning for the former “Legislative Route 279” began in 1959. SANDAG’s planning efforts began in the 1980s when the Board voted on bicycle lanes and helped determine the final route, and we have continued to improve the corridor in collaboration with Caltrans.
SR 52 Extension from SR 125 to SR 67
Project Overview
This project extended SR 52 from SR 125 east to SR 67 within the City of Santee. The 3.5-mile portion of new freeway completed the 17.7-mile link from SR 67 all the way to I-5. The project included direct connectors at SR 125 and SR 67 and interchanges at Fanita Drive, Magnolia Avenue, and Cuyamaca Street. The project was designed in close coordination with the City of Santee’s Forester Creek project, which addressed the area’s frequent flooding.
Schedule
Construction began in 2008 and was completed in 2011 in partnership with Caltrans.
Budget
The approximately $520 million cost was paid for with TransNet, state, and federal funds.
SR 52 Operational Improvements
Project Overview
The State Route 52 Operational Improvements and Managed Lanes project is a joint effort between SANDAG and Caltrans. The project proposes improvements on SR 52 which encourage multimodal transportation, help the roadway operate efficiently, and improve safety and reliability for the movement of people and goods between East County and Central San Diego. The project limits are from the Mission Gorge Road undercrossing at SR 52 to the I-15 connectors. It includes the Mast Boulevard and Santo Road interchanges.
The improvements we are studying include:
- Adding a westbound truck climbing/auxiliary lane
- Adding reversible managed lanes in the median
- Upgrading or relocating the existing two-way bikeway
- Widening and lengthening the Mast Boulevard westbound onramp
- Adding a reversible transit-only lane in the median
- Adding a managed lane in each direction from Santo Road to Mast Boulevard
- Converting a general purpose lane into a managed lane in each direction from Santo Road to Mast Boulevard
- Increasing from two to three lanes between SR 125 and Mast Boulevard in both directions
- Adding two reversible express lanes in the median
Schedule
We expect to complete environmental studies in earlier 2029.
Budget
Funding is available through a combination of federal, state, and local funding sources including TransNet.