Westbound State Route 78 Set To Reopen This Week

CARLSBAD,CA —A stretch of state Route 78 near Mira Costa College that has been closed for emergency repairs since a March 15 atmospheric river revealed a large sinkhole in the roadway is slated to reopen this week, authorities said in a tweet Monday.

The roughly 1 3/4-mile section of the freeway between College Boulevard and El Camino Real in Oceanside is expected to be back in operation in time for the Wednesday morning commute, according to a Caltrans news release.

Traffic woes for those traveling the 78 aren't over quite yet though as crews will close the eastbound side of the road after reopening the westbound lanes to repair the damaged culverts that caused the sinkhole.

"Our crews will continue working around the clock when the eastbound lanes close," Caltrans Public Information Officer Hayden Manning said. "Motorists should expect lanes to remain closed for approximately three weeks."

The Changeable Messages Signs on northbound and southbound Interstate 15 will remain in place, and crews will move the westbound SR-78 sign to the eastbound lanes.

Motorists will detour at the westbound SR-78 El Camino Real off-ramp, then east on Vista Way to the eastbound SR-78 College Boulevard on-ramp.

For real-time traffic information including traffic speed, lane and road closures due to construction and maintenance activities, click here.

Related: Westbound State Route 78 Closed Until Monday For Sinkhole Repairs