District 11

Oct. 29, 2007

Contact: Public Information Director Steve Saville Phone: (619) 688-6670

Caltrans Continues Repairs On Highways Damaged By Wildfires

SAN DIEGO –The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has crews repairing damages to state highways in the wake of the recent wildfires throughout San Diego County.

Evaluations of the county’s highways show that State Route 78 (SR-78) and SR-94 were the hardest hit by the fires, with thousands of feet of guardrail and hundreds of traffic signs/posts needing to be replaced. Some minor road and shoulder repair is also required.

Other state routes, including Interstate 5 (I-5), I-15, SR-67, SR-76, SR-79 and SR-188, had similar damage, but to a lesser extent. Most will also need erosion control measures along adjacent slopes to prevent future problems during wet weather.

“Our goal was to be ready with the scope of work, the emergency contracts and our own maintenance workers to make repairs and return the transportation system to our customers as quickly as possible,” said Caltrans District Director Pedro Orso-Delgado.

“We still have a number of highway closures in place where the damage was most severe, but we’re hoping to have everything returned to normal by the middle of next week.”

Orso-Delgado said although it’s too early to put an accurate dollar figure on the highway damage at this point, the cost will no doubt surpass the Department’s rebuilding efforts following the Cedar Fire in 2003 at $15 million.

SR-94 from Barrett Smith Road to SR-188 is expected to be reopened Tuesday morning with reduced speed limits and one-way traffic control (SR-94 is already open east of SR-188 with no restrictions). Commercial truck traffic is not permitted at this time along SR-188 or SR-94.

SR-76 from Rincon Rancho Road to SR-79 will remain closed for repairs, but is expected to be reopened with one-way traffic control later in the week.

SR-78 from Bandy Canyon Road to Haverford Road will also main closed, with an update on reopening later in the week. Residents may travel east to Ramona by taking the detour at Bandy Canyon Road to Highland Valley Road and on to SR-67.

# # # #