Toll System Work To Cause I-15 Express Lane Closures Until March

SAN DIEGO, CA — A $16 million project to improve the Interstate 15 toll system will periodically close express lanes in both directions during the work period, an official for the system's operator said.

Work on the toll systems to accommodate “significant technology changes” spanning more than 10 years will take vehicles out of the lanes “for an extended period of time” once or twice per month, said Ryan Ross, director of regional transportation services with the San Diego Association of Governments. Closing the lanes will allow for tests of new equipment.

Two northbound express lanes and two southbound express lanes were blocked as of Monday but all five northbound and five southbound main lanes were open, Ross told Patch. The main lanes should always stay open, he added.

Work will take place largely in the evenings and on weekends so express lane closures avoid causing traffic jams, he said.

“Traffic data across different dates and times are examined to determine the optimal closure time to avoid traffic impacts,” Ross said. “If significant traffic delays were to occur, maintenance crews reserve the option to reopen closed lanes if needed.”

The project will include upgrades to communication equipment for the toll system at the freeway's Bernardo Center Drive toll gantry.

I-15 express lanes extend 20 miles between state Route 78 in Escondido and state Route 163 in San Diego. Carpools, van pools, clean-air vehicles and motorcycles can use the lanes for free any time and solo drivers may use them if they drive through with FasTrak transponders.