According to the Caltrans District 11 webpage, the ramp connecting Interstate 8 west to Interstate 5 north is scheduled to be widened from one to two lanes:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist11/facts/5_8.pdf
Construction began in June 2014 and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2016 at a cost of $23.9 million. A third through lane will also be added for westbound Interstate 8, so it's likely the overhead signs in this area will be replaced as lanes are reconfigured and added.
On a related note, I located a 1985 article asking why there is no ramp connecting Interstate 8 east with Interstate 5 north (drivers must use Sea World Drive or proceed to Taylor Street and U-turn via the exit/entrance ramps there):
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/1985/jan/17/straight-hip-i-8-and-i-5-interchange/
QuoteBack during the incubation of the O.B. Freeway (Interstate 8 west of Interstate 5), when all that existed were squiggly lines through the minds of engineers, it became apparent to those who dictate where our roads will be - the California Department of Transportation, the California Highway Commission (now the Transportation Commission), and various city and county agencies - that interchanges could not be built both at Sea World/Tecolote drives and farther south at the I-5/I-8 intersection. The two thoroughfares connecting to Interstate 5 are just too close together to make life simple, or in the words emblazoned above every desk in Sacramento, cost effective. A ramp could be built leading from I-8 east to I-5 north, but because of safety regulations it would have to be designed to go through the intersection of the freeways; north along 5, over Sea World Drive, and down to the freeway past Sea World. That's a lot of concrete. There are also difficulties with rights-of-way involving the railroad and with the flood control channel. A ramp connecting I-5 south to the freeway would be easier, but Caltrans has a policy of not building a ramp unless a return ramp in the opposite direction can also be built - drivers get too confused otherwise, they say.
Rather than spend all this money on elaborate interchanges, planners thought, there was a simple solution: build the interchange at Sea World Drive and have Ocean Beach residents get to and from their community via that interchange.
This freeway connection (8 east to 5 north) still does not exist today, although I seem to recall it being listed as a future TransNet (local transportation sales tax) future project.
While looking up on GSV, it seems that on some of the approaches from SUnset Cliffs and Nimitz Blvd, there are signs indicating I-8 and I-5 towards the OB Freeway and I-5 toward Sea World Drive and Mission Bay. I find it odd that the signs don't indicate to use I-5 north via Sea World Drive and I-5 south via I-8.
I'm glad the widening project is finally moving forward; however, allow me a minute to voice my opinion that I find this interchange one of the more frustrating facilities in southern California -- especially when approaching on I-8 west. I've always found the transition sequence of I-5 south followed by I-5 north annoyingly counterintuitive (although I understand the functional need for the long flyover to I-5 south and Rosecrans Street).
Quote from: mrsman on June 18, 2014, 05:24:25 PM
While looking up on GSV, it seems that on some of the approaches from SUnset Cliffs and Nimitz Blvd, there are signs indicating I-8 and I-5 towards the OB Freeway and I-5 toward Sea World Drive and Mission Bay. I find it odd that the signs don't indicate to use I-5 north via Sea World Drive and I-5 south via I-8.
I was on Nimitz Blvd late last year, and noted that the city-owned BGS assembly listed both route number and proper direction, but the direction text had started to fade. Perhaps that's what you saw on GSV?
Quote from: yankee.peddler on July 05, 2014, 07:34:46 PM
Quote from: mrsman on June 18, 2014, 05:24:25 PM
While looking up on GSV, it seems that on some of the approaches from SUnset Cliffs and Nimitz Blvd, there are signs indicating I-8 and I-5 towards the OB Freeway and I-5 toward Sea World Drive and Mission Bay. I find it odd that the signs don't indicate to use I-5 north via Sea World Drive and I-5 south via I-8.
I was on Nimitz Blvd late last year, and noted that the city-owned BGS assembly listed both route number and proper direction, but the direction text had started to fade. Perhaps that's what you saw on GSV?
www.alpsroads.net/roads/ca/mission/index.html
Quote from: Alps on July 06, 2014, 08:26:31 PM
Quote from: yankee.peddler on July 05, 2014, 07:34:46 PM
Quote from: mrsman on June 18, 2014, 05:24:25 PM
While looking up on GSV, it seems that on some of the approaches from SUnset Cliffs and Nimitz Blvd, there are signs indicating I-8 and I-5 towards the OB Freeway and I-5 toward Sea World Drive and Mission Bay. I find it odd that the signs don't indicate to use I-5 north via Sea World Drive and I-5 south via I-8.
I was on Nimitz Blvd late last year, and noted that the city-owned BGS assembly listed both route number and proper direction, but the direction text had started to fade. Perhaps that's what you saw on GSV?
www.alpsroads.net/roads/ca/mission/index.html
Nice collection of photos, and those were indeed the signs on Nimitz I passed. My family lives a bit further east near Mission Trails Park, so I'm not in Ocean Beach very often. I'd be curious to know how long those city signs have been faded.