Caltrans is gearing up for major work on a portion of the eastbound 8 freeway through La Mesa and El Cajon from 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13 through the following Monday at 5 a.m.
The closure will enable workers to complete the repair of a bridge over El Cajon Boulevard.
The work is part of a $27.7 million, two-year project to extend the lives of several bridges in East County..
“This project will ensure the structural integrity of these East County bridges for years to come,” said Caltrans Acting District Director Everett Townsend in a statement.
“We are encouraging people to give themselves extra time for traveling to avoid impacts to their weekend plans to restaurants, malls and other entertainment areas in East County. Motorists should anticipate just a slight delay in reaching their destination.”
The closure will begin just west of Jackson Drive. All eastbound I-8 motorists will be detoured to northbound State Route 125, then eastbound on State Route 52, to southbound State Route 67, to I-8 East.
It also involves connector ramps, including:
-Northbound and southbound SR-125 to I-8 East;
-Westbound I-8 to southbound SR-67/Magnolia Avenue;
-Eastbound I-8 to northbound SR-67/Broadway; and
-Eastbound I-8 off-ramps to El Cajon Boulevard, Chase Avenue, and Main Street.
There will be signs to advise motorists of closures and alternate routes. Residents and businesses owners in the area should anticipate construction noise and lighting during the closure.
Construction crews will return in early October with overnight lane closures to place the permanent lane striping and close out the project.
The work schedule is subject to change due to weather, traffic incidents, or other construction considerations. Real-time traffic information including traffic speed, lane and road closures due to construction and maintenance activities, and more can be found here.
