I-5 North Coast Corridor

Caltrans and SANDAG

Project Overview

The North Coast Corridor (NCC) program is an effort by SANDAG and Caltrans to create a balanced transportation system that enhances the quality of life for North County residents and increases transportation choices for everyone traveling through the area. Its three primary focus areas are the Interstate 5 Express Lanes project, coastal rail and transit enhancements, and environmental protection and coastal access improvements.

Schedule

In 2014, the California Coastal Commission approved the NCC Public Works Plan/Transportation and Resource Enhancement Program, and in 2016, we broke ground. We are completing projects in phases. The first phase of the NCC program, called Build NCC, included an extension of carpool lanes on I-5, double tracking much of the coastal rail line, restoring sensitive lagoon habitat, and expanding regional bike and pedestrian connections.

At the end of 2025, Build NCC was substantially complete and we began preparing for the next phase.

NCC Program Timeline

Completed early improvements include:

  • Lomas Santa Fe interchange improvements (completed 2009)
  • Carpool/HOV lane extension in each direction from south of Via de la Valle to south of Manchester Avenue (completed 2009)
  • South Carlsbad Double Track (completed 2012)
  • Del Mar Bluff Stabilization Phase 1 (completed 2012)
  • Santa Fe Pedestrian Undercrossing (completed 2013)
  • Sorrento to Miramar Phase 1 (completed 2014)
  • I-805/HOV Carroll Canyon (completed 2014)
  • Sorrento Valley Double Track (completed 2015)
  • San Onofre to Pulgas Double Track Phase 1 (completed 2015)

 

California Coastal Commission approves the NCC PWP/TREP and the program’s balanced approach, later called Build NCC.

Following pre-construction activities in 2016, major construction begins in 2017 on Build NCC, the first major implementation phase of the NCC program.

Major Build NCC improvements are substantially complete, including 13 miles of new I-5 carpool/HOV lanes in each direction between Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach and State Route 78 in Oceanside, replacement of the San Elijo Lagoon highway bridge, rail double tracking, lagoon restoration, and regional bike and pedestrian improvements throughout the corridor.

Planned and ongoing projects include the Batiquitos Lagoon Double Track project (planned completion 2028), SR 78 to Harbor Drive in Oceanside carpool/HOV lane extension (currently in design), I-5/SR 78 interchange improvements, future I-5 Express Lanes conversion, additional rail and transit improvements, and continued environmental and bike and pedestrian investments throughout the corridor.

Budget

The NCC program is funded by a mix of federal, state, and TransNet sources.

In This Section

Resources

Related Documents

NCC Program Fact Sheet

NCC Program Brochure

Build NCC Digital Briefing Booklet - English

Build NCC Digital Briefing Booklet - Spanish

Related Pages