San Diego Commute: I-15 Connector Reopens and New MTS Schedules Take Center Stage

Morning Reopening: SR-15 to I-8 Connector

Commuters in Mid-City can breathe a sigh of relief this morning, Thursday, January 29, 2026. Caltrans has confirmed that the northbound State Route 15 (SR-15) connector to both eastbound and westbound Interstate 8 (I-8) is fully operational as of 5:00 a.m. The connector had been subject to nightly closures since Tuesday for essential infrastructure maintenance. While the lanes are open, motorists should expect residual slow-downs as early morning traffic patterns stabilize following the three-night project.

Public Transit: New MTS Timetables Now in Effect

Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) riders are reminded that the January 2026 service changes, which went into effect earlier this week on Sunday, January 25, are now in their first full weekday cycle. Commuters should look for the new yellow-coded timetables available at transit centers and online. Significant changes include:

• Routes 10 and 11: Service on 10th and 11th Avenues has been discontinued. Riders heading into the downtown core are advised to utilize Route 901 or the Trolley as alternatives.
• Route 20: The downtown terminal has officially moved to the 12th & Imperial Transit Center.
• Schedule Adjustments: Dozens of routes have seen minor AM and mid-day schedule adjustments designed to improve on-time performance. Regular commuters are encouraged to double-check their departure times to avoid missing their connections.

For rail travelers, the North County Transit District (NCTD) reports that coastal rail service, including the COASTER, is running on a regular weekday schedule today following the completion of maintenance work earlier this week between San Diego and Oceanside.

Major Arteries and Ongoing Construction

The I-5 North Coast Corridor remains a primary focus for long-term construction. While no major emergency closures are reported for this morning, the "Build NCC" projects continue to bring narrowed lanes and a 55 mph speed limit through sections of Encinitas and Carlsbad. Additionally, work on the SR-52 Operational Improvements Project continues between Santo Road and SR-125. Drivers should stay alert for construction vehicles entering and exiting the median as crews work on the new managed lanes.

Surface Street Alerts

In the Morena District, road resurfacing continues off Morena Boulevard following the completion of the latest phase of the City’s Pure Water project. Residents can expect intermittent lane shifts as crews work to restore the roadway to its original condition. Meanwhile, in the South Bay, the temporary utility construction on Enrico Fermi Drive in Otay Mesa has concluded, clearing the path for regular freight traffic to and from the border area.