Drivers traveling south into Tijuana should anticipate possible delays next week due to roadway work on Interstate 5 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the U.S. General Services Administration said.
Construction is set to begin on Tuesday night as part of a $2.7 million project to “enhance safety, security, and efficiency at the port,” officials said. The project will be conducted in two phases, requiring temporary lane closures.
During construction, crews will remove the speed humps on a section of I-5 near the southbound inspection booths. Additionally, temporary traffic control barriers will be replaced with more permanent, poured-in-place dividers, officials said.
“As the federal government’s landlord, GSA continues to invest in our (land ports of entry) and work jointly with regional partners to ensure our nation’s ports promote safe and secure trade and travel,” Administrator Edward C. Forst said in a statement. “We understand that construction can be disruptive, and we are working closely with Caltrans to minimize the impact on the traveling public and deliver these important improvements.”
The first phase of the project includes a 56-hour closure of the six westernmost lanes of the I-5 freeway toward Tijuana from San Ysidro, as well as the Camino de la Plaza I-5 south on-ramp. Closures for this phase will take place from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Friday.
Officials said the southbound lanes of Interstate 805 and I-5 will be tapered as the two merge and drivers approach the border. The Camino de la Plaza off-ramp and southbound access to Tijuana via the El Chaparral Mexican border crossing will remain open.
The Camino de la Plaza freeway on-ramp and the six westernmost lanes of the southbound I-5 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry will be closed. (U.S. General Services Administration)
The second phase will involve closing the easternmost lane of I-5 south. This will take place from 5 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Jan. 23.
While construction is underway, officials recommend considering the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and public transit if possible.
The easternmost lane of southbound I-5 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry will be closed during Phase 2. (U.S. General Services Administration)
“San Ysidro is home to one of the busiest border crossings in the world, which is critical to our region’s economy,” Caltrans District 11 Chief Deputy Director Everett Townsend said in a statement. “Any effort to improve the safe flow of traffic across the border is welcome. Caltrans looks forward to working with the GSA on these important enhancements and minimizing impact to the traveling public during this work.”
Officials also urged drivers to monitor traffic signs and reduce their speed near the construction work area.
The California Highway Patrol said it will increase traffic enforcement in the area and share traffic updates on its social media accounts.
Previous estimates by Mexican officials indicate that about 50,000 vehicles cross the border from San Ysidro to Tijuana daily through the El Chaparral crossing. Weekday peak hours typically begin after 3 p.m.