A plan to expand I-5 from La Jolla to Oceanside was approved unanimously by the California Coastal Commission on Aug. 13, paving the way for the protracted plan’s implementation.
The $6.5 billion North Coast Corridor program will involve six cities and 27 miles between La Jolla and Oceanside and feature freeway, rail and environmental improvements by the state Department of Transportation. San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox, a coastal commissioner, called the plan a remarkable example of governments working together, even as the project faces obstacles. The freeway expansion portion is the subject of a lawsuit by those who favor coastal transit improvements as the plan’s primary objective. Caltrans, which expects to start the project next year, said the I-5 widening is needed amid corridor traffic growth. The project is expected to take as long at 40 years to complete.