South Bay commuters are getting a first look at a $222.5 million overhaul of Interstate 805, as Caltrans hosts an open-house meeting next Tuesday at the National City Public Library to walk through repairs and upgrades planned along 14.5 miles of freeway through San Diego, Chula Vista and National City. The one-hour session is scheduled from 6:30 to 7:30 PM and is designed to give neighbors a chance to meet the project team and review the latest designs.
Caltrans is billing the event as a casual, drop-in open house where residents can talk directly with staff and flip through display boards and other project materials, according to Caltrans District 11. The agency notes the time as 6:30 to 7:30 PM next Tuesday at the National City Public Library.
Caltrans invites you to an in-person public meeting to learn about the improvements coming to Interstate 805 (I-805) in South County.
— Caltrans District 11 (@SDCaltrans) March 20, 2026
đź“…Tuesday, March 24, 2026
đź• 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
🏫National City Public Library (1401 National City Blvd) pic.twitter.com/DxTsPzFqDJ
What the project covers
The I-805 South Pavement Rehabilitation and Asset Management Project focuses on a 14.5-mile stretch from the San Ysidro port of entry to the I-15 separation, running through San Diego, Chula Vista and National City. Caltrans describes it as a $222.5 million effort to preserve pavement, boost safety and modernize infrastructure along the corridor, according to Caltrans.
Planned work and scope
Environmental documents and technical appendices filed for CEQA detail a long list of upgrades: pavement grinding, full lane replacement, ramp and shoulder repairs, culvert work, bridge widening, three new auxiliary lanes, intelligent transportation system upgrades and a new bike trail. The filings also spell out mitigation measures and describe the asset-by-asset repair approach Caltrans plans to use once construction is underway, per CEQAnet.
Timing and how to weigh in
The project page states that construction began in November 2025 and is expected to wrap up by spring 2030, with typical daytime work scheduled from 6:30 AM to 3:30 PM and occasional evening lane or ramp closures. For questions or to request more details, Caltrans lists a project phone line and email: (619) 688-6670 and [email protected].
Why it matters
The I-805 work is part of a broader freeway investment push Caltrans highlighted last year that totaled more than $600 million for San Diego-area projects, a pipeline that signals long-running construction on multiple corridors for drivers. Times of San Diego Related planning for managed lanes on I-805 has also advanced, raising local questions about how potential express-lane conversions might affect transit riders and tolls in the South Bay.
The open house gives neighbors a chance to press for specifics on traffic impacts, new bike and pedestrian elements and the mitigation steps Caltrans says it will take during construction. Attendees are encouraged to come ready with questions, and arriving early may help, since project staff will be on hand to collect comments in person.
