Interstate 5 and Interstate 8 Interchange Improvements

[andy3175]

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/

Back 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.

[mrsman]

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.

[yankee.peddler]

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).

[yankee.peddler]

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?

[Alps]

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

[yankee.peddler]

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.