Eastbound State Route 78 On-Ramp Closed Due To Flooding

CARLSBAD, CA — Due to flooding, the eastbound state Route 78 on-ramp at El Camino Real has been closed, Caltrans announced on Twitter this morning.

The closure comes about as Caltrans works to repair a sinkhole that opened up following flooding caused by an atmospheric river that struck the state last week.

The flooding is located in the same area as the sinkhole which caused a hard closure of westbound state Route 78 from College Boulevard to El Camino Real. The sinkhole repair was originally projected to be completed Monday, March 20, but thanks to the discovery of two additional culverts, will now most likely last through the week, Caltrans announced in a news release.

"Caltrans crews will continue working on the sinkhole on westbound State Route 78 (SR-78) from College Boulevard to El Camino Real through this coming week," Caltrans said. "Two additional culverts have been discovered since work began on Wednesday. Due to additional rain in the forecast, the westbound lanes will remain closed this week."

Once the westbound lanes are complete, Caltrans said it would close eastbound 78 to complete the repairs.

Portable Changeable Messages Signs have been placed along northbound and southbound Interstate 15 and along westbound SR-78 to alert motorists of the work and for motorists traveling westbound on the 78, a detour is in place, Caltrans said.

"Crews are working 24 hours a day to get this freeway reopened," Caltrans said.