Project Overview
The Interstate 5 Express Lanes corridor improvement projects are part of the North Coast Corridor (NCC) program, a long-term partnership between SANDAG and Caltrans.
The first phase of the NCC program, Build NCC, built I-5 carpool/high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes from the I-5/I-805 merge in the City of San Diego to State Route 78 in the City of Oceanside.
The upcoming phases of the NCC program will upgrade the original carpool lanes to express lanes and extend the express lanes north to Harbor Drive in Oceanside. This work will create a seamless and continuous express lane in each direction along this portion of I‑5.
Schedule
Progress to Date
We have already completed significant projects in the I-5 corridor through earlier NCC projects and Build NCC improvements. We completed:
- One carpool/HOV lane in each direction from the I-5/I-805 merge to Manchester Avenue (completed 2009)
- One carpool/HOV lane in each direction from Manchester Avenue to Palomar Airport Road (completed 2022)
- One carpool/HOV lane in each direction from Palomar Airport Road to SR 78 (completed 2023)
Future Improvements
Planned and future phases will continue building out the I-5 Express Lanes system through 2040. Improvements include:
- Conversion of the existing carpool/HOV lanes to express lanes from the I-5/I-805 merge in San Diego to SR 78 in Oceanside
- Extension of the I-5 Express Lanes from SR 78 to Harbor Drive in Oceanside (currently in design) to provide a continuous express lanes network
- Highway improvements and operational enhancements to improve safety and operation along the interstate between local interchanges
Budget
The I-5 Express Lanes project is financed through a combination of federal, state, and local funds, including TransNet.