Major Rail Closure Between San Diego and Oceanside Impacts Weekend Commutes
Full Coastal Rail Shutdown This Weekend
Commuters and weekend travelers should be aware of a significant service suspension affecting the coastal rail corridor. The North County Transit District (NCTD) has announced that all coastal rail service between San Diego and Oceanside is suspended today, Saturday, January 24, and will remain closed through Sunday. This shutdown is necessary to facilitate routine maintenance and progress on several major infrastructure projects, including the Del Mar Bluffs Stabilization Phase 5 and the Batiquitos Lagoon Double Track in Carlsbad.
During this closure, no COASTER or Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains will operate between the Oceanside Transit Center and Santa Fe Depot. While some bus bridges may be in place for specific Amtrak passengers, most commuters are encouraged to seek alternate transportation or utilize the I-5 freeway. Regular rail service is scheduled to resume on Monday morning, January 26.
Ongoing Maintenance on I-805 and Southern Arteries
On the roads, motorists should prepare for potential delays on Interstate 805 due to the ongoing $235 million South Bay pavement rehabilitation project. Crews are actively working on stretches from the San Ysidro Port of Entry up to SR-15. While Caltrans typically schedules the heaviest lane closures during overnight hours to minimize impact, weekend travelers may still encounter intermittent ramp closures and reduced lane capacity throughout the day.
In the Otay Mesa area, construction regarding new utility improvements on Enrico Fermi Drive and Lone Star Road may continue to cause minor delays. Drivers heading toward the border or industrial zones in the South Bay should allow for extra travel time.
MTS Bus Detours and Service Advisories
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has several alerts in effect for today. Notably, Route 115 Eastbound remains on a 24-hour detour due to construction near College Avenue and Navajo Road; this detour is expected to last through January 29. Passengers using this route should be aware that stops at College Ave & Camino Rico and Navajo Rd & College Ave are currently bypassed.
Additionally, MTS has cautioned that personnel constraints may lead to intermittent service disruptions for minibus and Access services. Riders are encouraged to check the PRONTO app for real-time arrival information. Finally, a reminder that a comprehensive set of MTS service changes is set to go into effect tomorrow, Sunday, January 25, making today the final day for several current route schedules and terminal locations.