Overnight Closures at SR-15 and I-8 Interchange Amid Major Transit System Changes

Midweek Traffic and Commute Overview

As San Diego moves through Wednesday, January 28, 2026, commuters should prepare for significant overnight highway closures and navigate the first full week of a major public transit service overhaul. While morning rush hour is expected to remain standard across most major arteries like the I-5 and I-15, localized construction and recent schedule adjustments will impact those traveling late in the evening or utilizing the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS).

Highway Closures: SR-15 and I-8 Interchange

Caltrans District 11 has issued a specific alert for motorists using the State Route 15 (SR-15) corridor. For the second consecutive evening, the northbound SR-15 connector to both eastbound and westbound Interstate 8 (I-8) will be closed. This work is scheduled for tonight, Wednesday, January 28, from 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. Thursday morning. Crews are performing essential maintenance, and message boards have been deployed to direct traffic toward detours. Commuters heading from the Mid-City area toward Mission Valley or East County late tonight should plan to use Fairmount Avenue or 40th Street as alternative routes to access I-8.

Public Transit: MTS Detours and Service Changes

Transit riders should be particularly vigilant this week following the system-wide service changes that took effect on Sunday, January 25. Many downtown terminals have been relocated, and several routes have seen schedule adjustments to improve efficiency. Notable impacts for today include:

• Route 115 Detour: Due to ongoing construction, Eastbound Route 115 remains on a 24-hour detour through January 29. Affected stops include those at College Avenue and Camino Rico, as well as Navajo Road and College Avenue.
• Route 120 Updates: A minor routing change for Northbound Route 120 is now in effect, with service restored to the bus stop at 5th Avenue and Broadway.
• Downtown Track Maintenance: Overnight track maintenance continues in the downtown sector between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. While these crews will generate noise, MTS has confirmed that Trolley service schedules will not be delayed by this work.

Long-Term Projects: I-805 South Bay Improvements

In the South Bay, the multi-million dollar overhaul of Interstate 805 continues. While there are no full main-lane closures reported for today's daylight hours, motorists are advised to stay alert for narrowed lanes and shifting traffic patterns between H Street and Telegraph Canyon Road. This project is part of a larger 2026 initiative to add auxiliary lanes and a new bike trail parallel to the northbound 805 between Palm Avenue and Main Street.

Commuter Tips and Parking

Drivers in the Uptown and Mid-City areas can breathe a sigh of relief as the City Council recently moved to drop proposals for paid Sunday parking, maintaining current parking availability for the coming weekend. For those heading to the border, the I-5 construction near San Ysidro that caused heavy delays earlier this month has concluded its second phase, though standard border-bound traffic remains heavy during peak afternoon hours.