43162 - I-15 Pavement and Asset Improvement Project

Caltrans District 11 is advancing the I-15 Pavement and Asset Improvement Project along Interstate 15 in San Diego County, spanning from postmile M26.8 to R52.1 through areas including Escondido and unincorporated communities such as Rainbow, Fallbrook, Jesmond Dene, and Bonsall. The project focuses on comprehensive rehabilitation of transportation infrastructure, including pavement resurfacing, drainage improvements using cured-in-place pipe and culvert replacements, overhead sign structure upgrades, guardrail replacements, installation of ADA-compliant curb ramps and pedestrian signals, and enhancements to traffic management systems. Environmental compliance is central to the project’s execution, with mandatory adherence to Caltrans Standard Specifications, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Clean Water Act, and California Fish and Game Code. Special environmental requirements include pre-construction surveys for nesting birds and bumblebees, the presence of an onsite qualified biologist with authority to halt work upon discovery of protected species, installation of ESA-compliant fencing and wildlife exclusion barriers, strict restrictions on vegetation removal during breeding seasons, and protocols to prevent wildlife entrapment and reduce disturbance to roosting bats. All work is subject to in-place inspections and acceptance by Caltrans representatives, with material handling and hazardous waste management governed by state regulations and best management practices. The project’s environmental review has been documented through multiple studies covering air quality, climate impacts, biological resources, cultural heritage, noise, and hydrology, resulting in a Mitigated Negative Declaration under CEQA. Funding is derived from federal-aid highway programs, and while no contract value or pricing structure is provided, the project is forecasted with construction activity anticipated between 2033 and 2035. Contract administration is overseen by Matthew Voss as the lead contracting official and Ashley Thota as the primary environmental liaison, both based at Caltrans District 11 in San Diego. Public comment on environmental documentation was open through August 15, 2026, and submissions were accepted via email, online portal, or mail. No formal solicitation number, contract type, or line-item pricing details are present, indicating the released materials pertain primarily to environmental planning rather than the full procurement package.