SAN DIEGO–Construction will begin next week in North San Diego County on the first phase of the North Coast Corridor (NCC) Program, known as Build NCC.

The project has involved more than a decade of collaborative planning efforts between Caltrans, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), local cities, the California Coastal Commission, resource agencies, and community members.

Build NCC includes:
· Extending carpool lanes on Interstate 5 (I-5) in each direction between Lomas Santa Fe Drive and State Route 78;
· Double tracking the rail line from Cardiff-by-the-Sea to Solana Beach;
· Replacing the highway and rail bridges at the San Elijo and Batiquitos lagoons;
· Restoring the San Elijo Lagoon; and
· Constructing nearly 10 miles of new bikeways and pedestrian trails.

Crews will be fencing off construction areas and removing vegetation along both sides of I-5, from just north of Lomas Santa Fe Dr. to just south of Birmingham Dr. and along the rail line between Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Solana Beach.

Upon project completion, crews will replace removed vegetation with non-invasive landscape that is native to the region’s coastal zone, including nearly 400 trees, while protecting lagoon views. The new landscape will be irrigated with 100 percent recycled water, which will be turned off once the vegetation has been established.

This preliminary work will take approximately six weeks to complete and will occur Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., with some intermittent night work as needed. During vegetation removal and construction along I-5, the San Elijo Lagoon trail just east of I-5 will be closed to maintain public safety in the area.

Residents near I-5 and the rail line in Solana Beach and Encinitas can expect to see construction equipment and vehicles moving in and out of the work areas. During construction, motorists are reminded to slow down. Not only is it required by law, it is important for the safety of motorists and workers alike.

Construction on the first phase is expected to be completed by 2021.