I-805 is one of the main backbones of mobility in the urban core of the San Diego region. It is a key north-south corridor that traverses the most heavily populated portion of the region. Average daily traffic (ADT) on I-805 ranges from 160,000 to 261,000 vehicles, with daily congestion lasting between two and four hours. ADT is expected to exceed 330,000 vehicles in 2030, with congestion lasting more than six hours.

Elements of the I-805 Express Lanes project include:

• Four Express Lanes in the median area
• Direct access ramps for buses and other high-occupancy vehicles
• Direct freeway-to-freeway HOVconnectors
• Retaining walls to minimize physical impacts to adjacent communities
• Sound walls to reduce noise impacts

Project Functions

The I-805 Express/Carpool Lanes project will offer a premium level of service to transit users, ridesharers, and paying solo commuters during rush hours. A bus rapid transit (BRT) system will operate in the Express/Carpool Lanes, connecting South Bay and East County cities to major regional employment centers in downtown San Diego and Sorrento Valley.

The I-805 Corridor

I-805 serves some of the most heavily-populated communities and key employment centers in the region. It is also a critical corridor for international traffic – it begins less than one mile from the U.S.-Mexico border. I-805 provides access to South Bay cities, San Diego’s urban core, Mission Valley, Sorrento Valley, and the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. It also connects to major east-west routes providing access to downtown San Diego and East County cities.