San Elijo I-5 bridge expansion topic of March 9 state meeting

North Coast Current

The replacement and expansion of the Interstate 5 bridge over San Elijo Lagoon and related Encinitas projects are the subject of a March 9 public hearing of the California Coastal Commission.

The Coastal Commission will hold the meeting to consider a Coastal Development Permit and Notice of Impending Development for the first phase of the projects, according to an announcement from Caltrans and the San Diego Association of Governments.

The permit and notice would clear the way for SANDAG and Caltrans to move forward with the I-5 bridge replacement, part of a larger freeway expansion running from La Jolla north to Oceanside. The span would be replaced with a longer, wider bridge to accommodate new carpool lanes and increase lagoon tidal flow, the agencies said in the announcement.

Bicycle and pedestrian paths at the lagoon and a Park & Ride facility at I-5 and Manchester Avenue are also among the plans.

The March 9 public hearing begins at 9 a.m. at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, West Wing, 1855 Main Street in Santa Monica. More information, including the hearing’s agenda, can be found online at www.coastal.ca.gov/mtgcurr.html.