COASTER Rail Service Suspended; Bus Detours Impacting Local Routes This Sunday

Significant Coastal Rail Suspension Today

Commuters and weekend travelers should be aware that all COASTER rail service between San Diego and Oceanside is suspended today, Sunday, January 25, 2026. The North County Transit District (NCTD) has halted operations to accommodate routine maintenance and critical infrastructure work. This closure affects the entire coastal corridor, with no passenger or freight trains running between the Santa Fe Depot and the Oceanside Transit Center.

Crews are currently working on major projects at several locations, including the Del Mar Bluffs stabilization phase, the Batiquitos Lagoon double track in Carlsbad, and rail improvements near Miramar Hill and downtown San Diego at Washington and Beech Streets. Regular COASTER service is scheduled to resume by the Monday morning commute on January 26. In the meantime, travelers are encouraged to utilize local bus routes or ride-share options, though no direct bus bridge is provided for the rail suspension.

MTS Bus Detours and Station Alerts

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is reporting several active alerts that may impact your Sunday travel. Most notably, Route 115 Eastbound remains on a long-term detour due to construction near the College Area. This detour is expected to last through January 29, affecting stops at College Avenue & Camino Rico and Navajo Road & College Avenue. Riders on Route 14 near Grantville should also check for localized delays associated with this work.

• Grossmont Station: Elevators at the Grossmont Trolley Station are currently out of service. Passengers requiring accessible access are advised to use Bus Route 852 as an alternative or utilize the replacement shuttle operating between the station and Grossmont Center.
• Operator Constraints: MTS has issued a advisory regarding potential personnel constraints with minibus and Access services operated by Transdev. Riders should plan for extra travel time as some trips may experience delays or cancellations.

Highway Conditions and Airport Updates

For those opting to drive, Caltrans District 11 reports a relatively smooth morning on major arteries. There are no significant traffic restrictions or planned full closures reported for Interstate 8 or the San Diego segments of Interstate 5 today. However, drivers on I-805 should remain alert for ongoing weekend maintenance work in the South Bay, which may result in intermittent ramp closures or lane narrowings as part of the corridor's 2026 overhaul project.

Travelers heading to San Diego International Airport (SAN) should check their flight status before departing. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has indicated that ground stops or delay programs are possible after 6:00 AM PST due to regional weather patterns, which could cause a ripple effect for terminal traffic and airport access roads.