Interstate 805
{{short description|Interstate highway in California}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{featured article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox road
|state=CA
|type=I
|route=805
|section=621
|spur_type=I
|spur_of=5
|map={{maplink-road|from=Interstate 805.map}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=I-805 highlighted in red
|alternate_name=Jacob Dekema Freeway
|length_mi=28.016
|length_ref={{Caltrans trucklist}}
|direction_a=South
|counties=San Diego
|terminus_a={{jct|state=CA|I|5}} in San Ysidro
|junction={{plainlist|
- {{jct|state=CA|SR|905}} in Otay Mesa
- {{jct|state=CA|SR|54}} in National City
- {{jct|state=CA|SR|94}} in San Diego
- {{jct|state=CA|SR|15}} in San Diego
- {{jct|state=CA|I|8}} in Mission Valley
- {{jct|state=CA|SR|163}} in Clairemont
- {{jct|state=CA|SR|52}} in University City
}}
|direction_b=North
|terminus_b={{jct|state=CA|I|5}} in Sorrento Valley
|previous_type=I
|previous_route=780
|next_type=I
|next_route=880
}}
Interstate 805 (I-805) is a major north–south auxiliary Interstate Highway in Southern California. It is a bypass auxiliary route of I-5, running roughly through the center of the Greater San Diego region from San Ysidro (part of the city of San Diego) near the Mexico–U.S. border to near Del Mar. The southern terminus of I-805 at I-5 in San Ysidro is less than {{Convert|1|mi|km|abbr=on}} north of the Mexican border. I-805 then traverses the cities of Chula Vista and National City before reentering San Diego. The freeway passes through the San Diego neighborhoods of North Park, Mission Valley, Clairemont, and University City before terminating at I-5 in the Sorrento Valley neighborhood near the Del Mar city limit.
Planning for I-805 began in 1956, and the route was officially designated in 1959 before it was renumbered in the 1964 state highway renumbering. Starting in 1967, the freeway was built in phases, with the northern part of the freeway finished before the southern part. I-805 was completed and open to traffic in 1975. Named the Jacob Dekema Freeway after the longtime head of the regional division of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), I-805 has been frequently cited for its complex engineering and architecture, including near I-8 on the Mission Valley Viaduct. Since then, several construction projects have taken place, including the construction of carpool lanes.
Route description
File:I-805 Northbound at CA 905.jpg
The route begins at I-5 near the Mexican border in a far south part of San Ysidro, a neighborhood of San Diego. As it starts its journey northwards, it quickly has a junction with State Route 905 (SR 905) before exiting the city of San Diego and entering Chula Vista. Within the past 20 years the freeway has delineated the apparent divide between rich and poor in the city of Chula Vista; those on the eastern side of the freeway have been more affluent and have better schools compared to those on the western side.{{cite news | title=A City Divided—by Interstate 805—Chula Vista, and Its Schools, Face Serious Threat of East Versus West | work=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=February 7, 2004 | author=Moran, Chris | page=B1|oclc=25257675}} Just outside the city, I-805 meets County Route S17 (CR S17), also named Bonita Road, before coming to an interchange with SR 54. The freeway then enters National City, where it intersects Sweetwater Road and Plaza Boulevard, before leaving the city and reentering the city of San Diego.{{google maps|url=https://maps.google.com/?ll=32.775729,-117.03186&spn=0.587715,1.215363&t=m&z=10|title=I-805|access-date=September 14, 2013}}
I-805 continues northward through San Diego, where it intersects SR 94, the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway. As the freeway continues through San Diego, it meets SR 15, the continuation of I-15. It then intersects El Cajon Boulevard before passing under the Hazard Memorial Bridge that carries Adams Avenue. The bridge was named after Roscoe Hazard for his involvement in the construction of several roads and highways in Southern California. I-805 then travels on the Mission Valley Viaduct, a towering reinforced concrete viaduct built in 1972, spanning over Mission Valley and the San Diego River.{{CA Named Freeways | pages=98, 101, 252}} The viaduct is the top stack of the Jack Schrade Interchange over I-8, which runs along the south side of Mission Valley and crosses underneath the viaduct perpendicularly, and is San Diego County's only symmetrical stack interchange. The San Diego Trolley traffic also runs under the viaduct on the valley floor.
File:Interstate 805-5 Split.jpg
After intersecting SR 163, also known as the Cabrillo Freeway, I-805 continues through suburban San Diego, where it meets SR 52 in Clairemont Mesa. North of SR 52, it closely parallels I-5 near La Jolla, heading northwest. Passing under the Eastgate Mall arch bridge and entering Sorrento Valley, it finally meets its north end at I-5. During the widening project which was completed in 2007, I-5 at the I-805 merge was built to be 21 lanes wide.{{cite news | url=http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070328/news_1mi28merge.html | title=Four New Southbound Lanes at I-5/805 Merge Set to Open | work=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=March 28, 2007 | access-date=September 13, 2013 | author=Schmidt, Steve | page=NC1 | oclc=25257675 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111063936/http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070328/news_1mi28merge.html | archive-date=November 11, 2013 | df=mdy-all }} Eastbound SR 56 and Carmel Mountain Road are accessible via a parallel carriageway for local traffic heading northbound from I-805; traffic from SR 56 westbound can merge onto I-805 from the local bypass.
The route is officially known as the Jacob Dekema Freeway after Jacob Dekema, a pioneering force from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) who helped shape the San Diego freeway system. It is also part of the California Freeway and Expressway System{{CAFESystem}} and the National Highway System,{{FHWA NHS map|region=sandiego}} a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration.{{FHWA NHS}} In 2013, I-805 had an annual average daily traffic (AADT) of 41,500 at the southern terminus, and 262,000 between Bonita Road and SR 54, the latter of which was the highest AADT for the highway.{{Caltrans traffic|year=2013|start=505|end=980}}
History
=Construction=
According to Dekema, planning for I-805 began in 1956.{{cite news | title=Ceremonies Open Work on Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 26, 1967 | page=C1|oclc=13155544}} The original routing for I-805 was approved as an Interstate Highway in July 1958.{{cite book |url= http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tsip/hseb/products/state_highway_routes_selected_information_1995_revised.pdf |title= State Highway Routes: Selected Information |publisher= California Department of Transportation |year= 1995 |page= 350}} It was added to the state highway system and the Freeway and Expressway System in 1959 as Route 241.{{cite CAstat|year=1959|ch=1062}} I-805 was expected to reduce traffic on what was then US 101 between Los Angeles and San Diego, when the former was opened.{{cite news | title=U.S. 101 Ranked Among Deadliest | work=The San Diego Union | date=October 14, 1962 | page=A36|oclc=13155544}} Route 241 was renumbered to Route 805 in the 1964 state highway renumbering, and I-5 was designated along the route from Los Angeles to San Diego.{{cite CAstat|year=1963|ch=385|p=1177}} Further planning was underway in 1965, with the goal to have the route built by 1972, the federal highway funding deadline.{{cite news | title=150 Additional Freeway Miles Scheduled for San Diego Area | work=The San Diego Union | date=February 21, 1965 | author=Parry, Bill | page=A31|oclc=13155544}} This was to be the first freeway in the area with no prior road along its route that it would replace; the goal was to provide a bypass around San Diego for those traveling to Mexico, and improve access for local residents. By June, houses along the route in the North Park area were being sold, as the land was needed for the first stretch of the freeway to be constructed.{{cite news | title=Route 805 Hailed as 'Totally New' | work=The San Diego Union | date=June 6, 1965 | author=Parry, Bill | page=A13|oclc=13155544}} The next year, Dekema confirmed that the first portion of what was known as the Inland Freeway to be built would be between Home and Adams avenues.{{cite news | title=Dekema Predicts Completion of Inland Freeway by 1972 | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 3, 1966 | author=James, Paul | page=B4|oclc=13155544}}
In May 1967, bidding began, after construction had been delayed by that of the I-5 and I-8 freeways, both of which had been given higher priority. This first portion would run from Wabash Boulevard to around Madison Avenue (a distance of {{convert|3.5|mi|km|disp=or|abbr=on}}), and the next portion would include the I-8 interchange.{{cite news | title=State Asks Bids for Freeway In E. San Diego | work=The San Diego Union | date=May 23, 1967 | author=Ross, Charles | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} The R.E. Hazard and W.F. Maxwell Companies won the low bid of $11.7 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|11700000|1967|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) in mid-1967.{{cite news | title=S.D. Firms' Bid OKd for Freeway Job | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 23, 1967 | page=C7|oclc=13155544}} The groundbreaking ceremony happened on September 25 at El Cajon Boulevard and Boundary Street. In August 1968, the portion of I-805 from just south of I-8 to north of Friars Road, including the interchange with I-8, was put up for bidding; at a budgeted $27.5 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|27500000|1968|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}), it was the most expensive job that the Division of Highways had ever put up for bid.{{cite news | title=$27.1 Million Freeway Job Set for Bids | work=The San Diego Union | date=August 27, 1968 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} The winning bid was $20.9 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|29400000|1970|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}), and was awarded to R.E. Hazard Contracting Company and W.F. Maxwell Company.{{cite news | title=2 Area Firms Win Interchange Job | work=The San Diego Union | date=November 8, 1968 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}}
File:Aerial - Interstate 805 in San Diego, CA 01.jpg
Construction had begun on the viaduct by May 1969;{{cite news | title=New Mission Valley Span Beauty Cited | work=The San Diego Union | date=May 27, 1969 | author=Stone, Joe | page=B3|oclc=13155544}} in the meantime, National City was making plans for developing the freeway corridor with motels and restaurants, as well as a shopping center.{{cite news | title=National City Flexes Muscles for Growth | work=The San Diego Union | date=June 14, 1969 | page=B7|oclc=13155544}} In mid-1969, bidding was to begin on {{convert|3.2|mi|km}} of I-805 from north of Friars Road to north of what was then US 395,{{cite news | title=Bids Called for Section of Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 5, 1969 | page=C8|oclc=13155544}} which would become SR 163.{{cite CAstat|year=1969|ch=294}} Construction from J Street south to near San Ysidro was underway by September, when there were concerns that an order from President Richard Nixon to reduce federal construction projects by 75 percent might affect funding for the portion north of Friars Road. However, Governor Ronald Reagan lifted the associated freeze in construction at the state level a few weeks later.{{cite news | title=San Diego Freeway Work Hit by Action | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 5, 1969 | page=A8|oclc=13155544}}{{cite news | title=Construction OKd on Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 17, 1969 | author=Clance, Homer | page=A1|oclc=13155544}} A month later, the contract for the portion between Friars Road and US 395 had been awarded for $15 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|15000000|1969|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}); the portions between there and north of Miramar Road were in the planning phases, while construction continued south of I-8 to Wabash Boulevard.{{cite news | title=$15 Million Pact Let for Freeways | work=The San Diego Union | date=October 9, 1969 | author=Scott-Blair, Michael | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} The {{convert|2.4|mi|km|adj=on}} portion from SR 52 to Miramar Road had been contracted out to O.G. Sansome Company for $5.6 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|5600000|1969|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) by the end of 1969.{{cite news | title=Riverside Firm Wins Contract for Road Work | work=The San Diego Union | date=December 21, 1969 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} Meanwhile, $4 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|4000000|1969|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) of state funding was spent in 1969 to find housing for those who were to be displaced by the freeway in San Ysidro.{{cite news | title=San Ysidro's Replacement Homes Studied | work=The San Diego Union | date=November 8, 1969 | page=B2|oclc=13155544}}
By March 1970, the original section between Home Avenue and near I-8 was almost finished. The Mission Valley portion extending north of US 395, as well as from Otay Valley Road and J Street in Chula Vista, were still under construction.{{cite news | title=Highway Office Reports on Area Freeway Progress | work=The San Diego Union | date=March 15, 1970 | page=B4|oclc=13155544}} The portion immediately north of US 395 was contracted to A.A. Baxter Corporation, E.C. Young, and Young and Sons, Inc. for $7.9 million{{cite news | title=Highway Pact Awarded | work=The San Diego Union | date=March 19, 1970 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|7900000|1970|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}). On July 6, the first section to begin construction was dedicated, and was to be opened from El Cajon Boulevard to Wabash Boulevard soon thereafter; the rest of the section would not open until the Mission Valley interchange with I-8 was finished.{{cite news | title=Interstate 805 Link Dedicated | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 7, 1970 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}
A second border crossing in the San Ysidro area was proposed near the Playas de Tijuana area, that would be accessible from I-805, although another alternative was considered near Brown Field.{{cite news | title=Border Entry Urged Near Brown Field | work=The San Diego Union | date=May 15, 1970 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} A formal study on the matter was commissioned in August.{{cite news | title=City Council Airs New 805 Route | work=The San Diego Union | date=August 26, 1970 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} However, this would have added $10 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|10000000|1970|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) to the cost of the freeway, and possibly delay it by up to 10 years; furthermore, most traffic crossing the border was found to head to Tijuana and not Ensenada.{{cite news | title=$10 Million Loss Seen in 805 Rerouting | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 1, 1970 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} Following this, the city of Chula Vista asked that the state proceed with the original plans to construct the freeway, even though it would pass through a San Ysidro neighborhood.{{cite news | title=Chula Vista Urges Early Road Work | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 10, 1970 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}
In September 1970, bidding began for the final portion of the northern half of I-805 between Miramar Road and I-5;{{cite news | title=Bids Sought for 805 Link | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 24, 1970 | page=B2|oclc=13155544}} a month later, the segments between Home Avenue and SR 94, and SR 54 to 12th Street had funding allocated.{{cite news | title=State Highway Commission Adopts $905 Million Budget | work=The San Diego Union | date=October 23, 1970 | page=B9|oclc=13155544}} By the end of the year, Hazard, Maxwell, and Matich had submitted the low bid of around $7.2 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|7200000|1970|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) for the northernmost portion.{{cite news | title=Bids Taken by State on 2 Highways | work=The San Diego Union | date=December 17, 1970 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} The Chula Vista portion of the freeway from Main Street to L Street was completed in February 1971; by then, the estimated date for completing the entire freeway had slipped to 1975 from 1972.{{cite news | title=Dedication Set for Part of Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=February 25, 1971 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}} By March, the projected completion date for the Mission Valley bridge was revised to July 1972.{{cite news | title=Gap Closed on Mission Valley Bridge | work=The San Diego Union | date=March 16, 1971 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}} A 102-home mobile home park was approved by the City Council a few weeks later to house those who were displaced by the freeway construction.{{cite news | title=Mobile Home Park Readied in San Ysidro | work=The San Diego Union | date=April 9, 1971 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}}
The portion of the freeway from Otay Valley Road to Telegraph Canyon Road opened during 1972.{{cite news | title=Completion Date Fixed in August | work=The San Diego Union | date=March 19, 1975 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}} On October 22, several unconstructed portions of I-805 were partially funded, including from Chula Vista south past SR 75, north of the completed Chula Vista portion to SR 54, from SR 54 to Plaza Boulevard in National City, from there to SR 94 (including the interchange with SR 252), and from there to Home Avenue.{{cite news | title=$60 Million Due County for Roads | work=The San Diego Union | date=October 23, 1971 | pages=B1, B2|oclc=13155544}} Before the end of the year, the portion from SR 94 to Home Avenue entered the bidding phase;{{cite news | title=State Asks Bids on Section of Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=December 15, 1971 | page=D4|oclc=13155544}} Guy F. Atkinson Company won the contract for roughly $9.96 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|9960000|1972|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) in early 1972.{{cite news | title=Long Beach Firm Awarded Contract | work=The San Diego Union | date=February 26, 1972 | page=B2|oclc=13155544}} Following a request from the El Cajon City Council,{{cite news | title=El Cajon Council to Ask Cycling on Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=February 2, 1972 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} March 19 was set aside as a Community Cycle Day for bicyclists to travel the newly finished freeway from El Cajon Boulevard to SR 52, just before the freeway was to be dedicated the next day;{{cite news | title=Route 805 Bicycle Day Set March 19 | work=The San Diego Union | date=March 8, 1972 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} during the event, around 30 people had injured themselves, and police estimated that some bicyclists had attained speeds of up to {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} traveling down the hill leading to the Mission Valley Viaduct.{{cite news |last = Alice |first = Matthew |date = September 19, 2002 |title = Tell Me About the Day We Could bicycle Down the 805 freeway |work = San Diego Reader |url= https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2002/sep/19/tell-me-about-day-we-could-bicycle-down-805-freewa/ |access-date = November 18, 2021 }} The entire Mission Valley Viaduct was open to traffic that month.
File:I-805 San Diego Skyline.jpg
By the beginning of 1974, I-805 was open north of Home Avenue, and from Otay Valley Road to Telegraph Canyon Road in Chula Vista; five segments remaining were under construction, and the last segment was funded.{{cite news | title=Public's Mood Shifts away from Freeways | work=The San Diego Union | date=January 8, 1974 | page=X16|oclc=13155544}} The Imperial Avenue section of I-805 remained in the budget, despite revisions in response to the 1973 oil crisis.{{cite news | title=County Road Share Set at $30 Million | work=The San Diego Union | date=January 12, 1974 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}} In late January, I-805 between SR 15 and SR 94 was opened to traffic, though not all of the ramps at the SR 94 interchange were operational.{{cite news | title=New Highway Link to Open | work=The San Diego Union | date=January 28, 1974 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} The connectors to SR 94 east were completed in March.{{cite news | title=805 Open to State 94 | work=The San Diego Union | date=March 7, 1974 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} The entire portion between SR 94 and Home Avenue cost $10.5 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|10500000|1974|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}). Construction between SR 94 and Imperial Avenue was well under way by December, at a cost of $8.5 million{{cite news | title=Interstate 805 Continues Southward Advance | work=The San Diego Union | date=December 13, 1974 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|8500000|1974|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}).
As the scheduled completion of the freeway neared, Mayor Tom Hamilton of Chula Vista expressed concerns regarding the predicted development of the I-805 corridor, and the decisions that the City Council would need to make regarding such plans.{{cite news | title=Mayor Foresees Scramble for Sites as I-805 Develops | work=The San Diego Union | date=January 12, 1975 | author=Scaglione, Cecil | page=B3|oclc=13155544}} The portion south of Otay Valley Road cost $15 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|15000000|1975|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}), and the portion between Telegraph Canyon Road and Sweetwater Road cost $12 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|12000000|1975|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}). The portion from there to Imperial Avenue was projected to cost $10.2 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|10200000|1975|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}). The dedication of the freeway took place on July 23, 1975, even though the freeway was not entirely finished, due to the desire to hold the ceremony during the summer.{{cite news | title=Interstate 805 Dedicated but Opening Date Delayed | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 24, 1975 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}} I-805 from Plaza Boulevard to Telegraph Canyon Road opened to traffic on July 28, leaving the freeway complete except for the portion between Plaza Boulevard and SR 94. While portions of the freeway were nearly ready for traffic, there were reports of motorists driving on the closed freeway, which the California Highway Patrol warned was illegal.{{cite news | title=Unopened 805 Usage Prohibited | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 29, 1975 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}} On September 3, Dekema announced that the entirety of the freeway would open the next day as he made a final inspection of the unopened portion; the total cost of the construction was $145 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|145000000|1975|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}). However, Dekema announced that there was no more state funding available to construct further roads for the short-term.{{cite news | title=Officials Say Interstate 805 Is End of Road for Funds | work=The San Diego Union | date=September 4, 1975 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}}
=Recognition, artwork, and architecture=
The Mission Valley Viaduct was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as the "Outstanding Civil Engineering Project for 1973 in the San Diego Area"; it was designed to match the close by Mission San Diego de Alcalá with its columns that look similar to cathedral windows, and arch-like shapes etched into the textured concrete. The viaduct was designed to span {{convert|3900|ft|m|abbr=on}}, and use squared-off support columns instead of traditional cylindrical supports. Octagonal columns were to be used on the ramps and the ends of the bridge.{{cite news | title=Bids Due Soon for Viaduct in Mission Valley | work=The San Diego Union | date=August 11, 1968 | author=Smith, Cliff | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} Over 600 tons ({{convert|600|ST|t|abbr=off|disp=out}}) of steel bars were to be used,{{cite news | title=Viaduct Takes Shape | work=The San Diego Union | date=August 7, 1969 | page=A28|oclc=13155544}} and the bridge was constructed as high as {{convert|98|ft|m|abbr=on}} above I-8.{{cite news | title=Interstate 805 Span Shows Geometric Beauty | work=The San Diego Union | date=August 24, 1970 | page=A3|oclc=13155544}} The Adams Avenue Bridge over I-805 was also recognized for its {{convert|439|ft|m|adj=on}} span and two tapered supports on the ends of the bridge; in 1968, a Princeton University engineering professor asked for a copy of the design from Caltrans for educational purposes.{{cite news | title=Bridges Span Design Spectrum | work=The San Diego Union | date=January 11, 1976 | page=F6|oclc=13155544}} The construction supervisor, in fact, compared the construction of this bridge to building a boat, and it was constructed from the middle outward rather than the conventional method of building from the ends inward. The span was designed to be {{convert|268|ft|m|abbr=on}} long,{{cite news | title=Boat-Like Curves Mark Overpass | work=The San Diego Union | date=August 11, 1968 | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} and {{convert|100|ft|m|abbr=on}} high.{{cite news | title=Interstate 805 Bridge Grows in Beauty | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 29, 1969 | page=A3|oclc=13155544}}
Awards for the Eastgate Mall (or Old Miramar Bridge) came from the Federal Highway Administration, San Diego Highway Development Association, and Prestressed Concrete Institute Awards Program; at the time, it was one of the first arch bridges in the state, and did not use traditional concrete pillars. The San Diego Union (predecessor to the Union-Tribune) published a few freelance articles in 1984 about I-805, complimenting the four-level interchange with I-8 and the arch bridge at Eastgate Mall, while mentioning that subsequent inflation after their completion would have made such structures more difficult to build if they had been constructed later. Other artwork and architecture that was mentioned included the Wateridge development in Sorrento Valley, and the "Stargazer" building by Alexander Liberman that was lit with fluorescent colors at night.{{cite news | title=Outdoor Artworks Bring New Beauty to Freeway Travel | work=The San Diego Union | date=August 16, 1984 | author=Lewinson, David | page=E8|oclc=13155544}}{{cite news | title=Architecture at Its Best in S.D Freeways | work=The San Diego Union | date=February 26, 1984 | author=Jones, Bob | page=F1|oclc=13155544}}
However, not all forms of artwork along the highway were uncontroversial. In 1977, there were several complaints regarding new billboards that were installed at the northern terminus of the highway, since they blocked the view of the coast.{{cite news | title=Ruling Awaited on New Billboards On Interstate 805 | work=The San Diego Union | date=January 30, 1977 | author=Ball, Neil | page=B16|oclc=13155544}} In 1981, an illegal mural that was determined to be incomplete was discovered at the I-8 interchange; while Caltrans discouraged the painting of such murals, they were impressed with the portion that had already been completed.{{cite news | title=I-805 Graffiti Artist Sought | work=The San Diego Union | date=April 2, 1981 | author=Gross, Greg | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} Art Cole, the artist, stepped forward to the department, and was allowed to finish the mural of a desert highland sunrise; following this, Caltrans made efforts to have other murals commissioned.{{cite news | title=Mural Is Given to San Diego | work=The San Diego Union | date=August 28, 1981 | page=B13|oclc=13155544}}
The San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce attempted to have I-805 named as the San Ysidro Freeway in 1976.{{cite news | title=Border Community Wants I-805 Named San Ysidro | work=The San Diego Union | date=July 16, 1976 | author=Scaglione, Cecil | page=B3|oclc=13155544}} However, I-805 was named after Jacob Dekema in August 1981, and ceremonies to mark the occasion occurred in February 1982.{{cite news | title=Father Of S.D. Freeways Now Has One of His Own | work=The San Diego Union | date=February 20, 1982 | page=B3|oclc=13155544}} The plaque honoring Dekema was installed in November at the Governor Drive interchange.{{cite news | title=Dekema Honored | work=The San Diego Union | date=November 23, 1982 | author=Romero, Bill | page=B3|oclc=13155544}} Because of his efforts in designing I-805, Ed Settle of Caltrans was given the Outstanding Civil Engineering Award from the ASCE; he designed several other regional freeways, including SR 163 through Balboa Park and I-5 through San Diego.{{cite news | title=Ed Settle: Designer Created Scenic Freeway in Balboa Park | work=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=April 3, 2005 | author=Williams, Jack | page=J5|oclc=25257675}}
=Expansion=
File:Interstate 5 and Interstate 805 Sorrento Valley interchange.jpg
The construction of a "dual freeway" at the northern end of I-805 was discussed as early as 1989, referring to the two carriageways needed for each direction of the freeway, resulting in four total. It would require drivers to use the new local lanes to access eastbound SR 56 from I-5 or I-805. The project would allow for trucks to use the new lanes to assist in merging with traffic. However, it faced opposition from local residents, concerned about the loss of the view from their homes, as well as environmentalists concerned about nearby wetlands.{{cite news | title=Bottleneck at I-5/805 Is Dilemma | work=The San Diego Union | date=April 30, 1989 | author=Weisberg, Lori | page=B1|oclc=13155544}} Further objections espoused the view that the congestion would continue to increase, regardless of what was done, and that the new road would be at capacity in a few years.{{cite news | title=Residents Express Anguish at Plans to Expand I-5 Junction | work=Evening Tribune | date=June 2, 1989 | author=Kubik, Agnes | location=San Diego | page=B8|oclc=37687666}} The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) funded the construction with $110 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|110000000|2000|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}) in mid-2000.{{cite news | title=Highways Receive Bulk of Money in SANDAG Transportation Plan | work=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=July 22, 2000 | author=Arner, Mark | page=B3|oclc=25257675}}
Construction of the "dual freeway" began in early 2002, at a cost of $182 million{{cite news | title=I-5/805 Merge Widening Under Way | work=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=March 1, 2002 | last=LaRue | first=Steve | page=B2| oclc=25257675}} (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|182000000|2002|r=3}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{inflation-fn|US-GDP}}). The northbound lanes were scheduled to open in February 2006.{{cite news | title=Showers Push Back Opening of Bypass | work=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=February 19, 2006 | page=B3| oclc=25257675}} The southbound lanes were completed in early 2007. That year, a three-year project began to allow robot controlled vehicles, including buses and trucks, to use a special lane. The intention is to allow the vehicles to travel at shorter following distances and thereby allow more vehicles to use the lanes. The vehicles will still have drivers since they need to enter and exit the special lanes. The system was designed by Swoop Technology, based in San Diego County.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/15-08/st_robot | title=Robot Buses Pull In to San Diego's Fastest Lane | magazine=Wired | date=July 24, 2007 | access-date=August 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110112944/http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/15-08/st_robot|archive-date=November 10, 2012 |oclc=24479723}}
Two years later, construction began on two auxiliary lanes on I-805 southbound from SR 54 to Bonita Road, to improve traffic flow at the SR 54 interchange.{{cite news | title=Short Takes | work=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 13, 2009 | author=Schmidt, Steve | page=B2|oclc=25257675}} In 2010, Caltrans proposed adding high-occupancy toll express lanes between SR 15 and East Palomar Street in Chula Vista.{{cite news | title=Public Hearings Set on I-805 Expansion | work=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=September 21, 2010 | author=Fry, Wendy | page=B2|oclc=25257675}} The California Transportation Commission (CTC) awarded $100 million for the work in June 2011, which would be split into two phases at the interchange with SR 54.{{cite news | title=I-805 HOV-Lane Project Gets $100M from State | work=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=June 30, 2011 | author=Hawkins, Robert | page=B2|oclc=25257675}} Work is also underway to add two HOV lanes between SR 52 and Mira Mesa Boulevard; this project also received $59.5 million from the CTC in September 2011.{{cite news | title=State Sending Region $82.6M for Road Work | work=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=September 19, 2011 | author=Hawkins, Robert | page=B2|oclc=25257675}} Meanwhile, SANDAG made arrangements to purchase the SR 125 toll road and reduce the tolls, which was hoped to encourage commuters to take that road instead of I-805 and reduce congestion; this would then enable Caltrans to construct two managed lanes instead of the original four.{{cite news | title=SANDAG Agrees to Purchase South County Toll Road | work=San Diego Union-Tribune | date=December 17, 2011 | author=Hawkins, Robert | page=A1|oclc=25257675}}
In February 2013, construction began on the northern HOV lanes; the project came at a cost $86 million.{{cite news | title=Express Lanes Project to Commence on I-805 | work=U-T San Diego | date=February 26, 2013 | author=Nichols, Chris | page=B2|oclc=25257675}} By May, construction on the Palomar Street direct access ramps had begun, and the Carroll Canyon Road ramps were almost finished.{{cite news | title=Ramps to Speed Access to I-15 | work=U-T San Diego | date=May 1, 2013 | author=Nichols, Chris | page=NC1|oclc=25257675}} The northern project was completed in 2015,{{cite web | url=http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist11/facts/805ManagedLanesNorth.pdf | title=Interstate 805 Express Lanes North Project Fact Sheet | publisher=California Department of Transportation | author=District 11 | date=June 2013 | access-date=October 8, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928061742/http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist11/facts/805ManagedLanesNorth.pdf | archive-date=September 28, 2013 | df=mdy-all }} and the southern HOV lanes opened in March 2014 at a cost of $1.4 billion, with an option to expand them into two lanes in each direction, and a proposed direct ramp to the express lanes.{{cite news | title=I-805 carpool lanes open in So. County | work=U-T San Diego | date=March 5, 2014 | author=Nichols, Chris | url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/mar/05/805-carpool-south-county-chula-vista-national-city/|oclc=25257675}} A 2012 Caltrans report proposed adding four managed lanes along the entire length of the highway.{{cite web | author=Staff|url=http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist11/departments/planning/pdfs/tcs/2012_I_805_TCS.pdf | title=I-5 Transportation Concept Summary| publisher=Caltrans | date=June 2012 | access-date=June 21, 2014 |pages=17}} The northern section carpool lanes are a continuation of the ones from Interstate 5 at the Sorrento Valley interchange and continue to Governor Drive. The southern section carpool lanes exist from SR 94 and Palomar Street. Plans exist to construct the 11-mile gap between SR 94 and Governor Drive have been put on hold until there are enough funds to widen the freeway and replace any necessary overpasses. In 2016, a half-cent sales tax was imposed to eventually pay for the construction of this gap.{{cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sdut-hov-lanes-opening-on-805-2016jun15-story.html|title=HOV lanes opening on 805|access-date=26 March 2024|first=Joshua|last=Stewart|publisher=The San Diego Union Tribune}}
Exit list
{{CAinttop|exit
|exit_ref={{cite web |date=August 21, 2018 |publisher=California Department of Transportation |work= California Numbered Exit Uniform System |url=https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/safety-programs/documents/exit/f0017913-805-a11y.pdf |title= Interstate 805 Freeway Interchanges |access-date=October 17, 2020}}
|county=San Diego
}}
{{CAint|exit
|location=San Diego
|lspan=5
|type=incomplete
|mile=0.00
|mspan=2
|exit=—
|road=Mexico Only (I-5 south)
|notes=No access to I-5 north; exit goes directly to the San Ysidro Port of Entry at the Mexican border; southern terminus; I-5 north exit 1A
}}
{{CAint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=none
|exit=1A
|road=Camino de la Plaza
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance; last USA exit southbound
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=0.50
|exit=1B
|road=San Ysidro Boulevard
|notes=Signed as exit 1A northbound}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=1.66
|exit=1C
|road={{Jct|state=CA|SR|905}}
|notes=Signed as exit 1B northbound; SR 905 exit 2B; future I-905
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=2.78
|exit=2
|road=Palm Avenue
}}
{{CAint|exit
|location=Chula Vista
|lspan=6
|mile=3.51
|exit=3
|road=Main Street / Auto Park Drive
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=4.27
|exit=4
|road=Olympic Parkway / East Orange Avenue
}}
{{CAint|exit
|type=hov
|mile=4.91
|exit=♦
|road=East Palomar Street
|notes=HOV access only; southbound left exit and northbound entrance
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=5.51
|exit=6
|road=L Street / Telegraph Canyon Road
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=7.01
|exit=7
|road=H Street
|notes=Signed as exits 7A (east) and 7B (west) southbound
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=7.61
|exit=7C
|road=E Street / Bonita Road (CR S17)
|notes=Northbound exit is part of exit 7.
}}
{{CAint|exit
|location=National City
|lspan=3
|mile=8.71
|exit=8
|road={{Jct|state=CA|SR|54|name1=South Bay Freeway}}
|notes=Signed as exit 9 southbound; SR 54 exit 2
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=8.90
|exit=9
|road=Sweetwater Road
|notes=Signed as exit 8 southbound
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=10.13
|exit=10
|road=Plaza Boulevard
}}
{{CAint|exit
|location=San Diego
|lspan=26
|mile=11.16
|exit=11A
|road=43rd Street
|notes=Signed as exit 11B southbound; former SR 252
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=11.22
|exit=11B
|road=47th Street / Palm Avenue – National City
|notes=Signed as exit 11A southbound
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=12.20
|exit=12A
|road=Imperial Avenue
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=12.80
|exit=12B
|road=Market Street
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=13.36
|exit=13A
|road={{Jct|state=CA|SR|94|name1=M. L. King Jr. Freeway}}
|notes=Southbound access to SR 94 west is via exit 14; SR 94 exit 3
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=13.80
|exit=13B
|road=Home Avenue
}}
{{CAint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=14.49
|mspan=2
|exit=14
|espan=2
|road={{Jct|state=CA|SR|15|dir1=north|name1=Escondido Freeway}}
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance; future I-15; SR 15 south exit 3
}}
{{CAint
|type=incomplete
|mile=none
|road={{Jct|state=CA|SR|15|dir1=south|name1=Escondido Freeway|SR|94|to2=yes|dir2=west|name2=M. L. King Jr. Freeway}}
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance; Future I-15; SR 15 north exit 3
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=15.80
|exit=15
|road=North Park Way / University Avenue
|notes=North Park Way not signed northbound
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=16.28
|exit=16
|road={{jctname|state=CA|US-Hist|80|name1=El Cajon Boulevard|noshield=yes}}
|notes=Former US 80
}}
{{CAint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=16.84
|exit=17A
|road=Adams Avenue / Madison Avenue
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=17.50
|exit=17B
|road={{Jct|state=CA|I|8|name1=Mission Valley Freeway|location1=Beaches|city2=El Centro}}
|notes=Signed as exit 17 northbound; I-8 exit 6B
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=18.74
|exit=18
|road=Murray Ridge Road / Phyllis Place
}}
{{CAint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=20.08
|exit=20A
|road=Mesa College Drive / Kearny Villa Road
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance
}}
{{CAint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=20.45
|mspan=2
|exit=20B
|road={{Jct|state=CA|SR|163|name1=Cabrillo Freeway|dir1=north|city1=Escondido}}
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance; SR 163 south exit 7A
}}
{{CAint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=none
|exit=20
|road={{Jct|state=CA|CA|163|name1=Cabrillo Freeway|dir1=south|city1=Downtown San Diego}}
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance; SR 163 north exit 7A
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=21.51
|exit=21
|road=Balboa Avenue
|notes=Former SR 274
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=22.41
|exit=22
|road=Clairemont Mesa Boulevard
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=23.50
|exit=23
|road={{Jct|state=CA|SR|52|name1=Soledad Freeway|city1=La Jolla|city2=Santee}}
|notes=SR 52 exit 3
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=24.29
|exit=24
|road=Governor Drive
}}
{{CAint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=25.33
|exit=25A
|road=Nobel Drive
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=25.79
|exit=25B
|road={{jct|extra=hospital}} Miramar Road / La Jolla Village Drive
|notes=Signed as exit 25 southbound; serves UC San Diego Health Center}}
{{CAint|exit
|type=hov
|mile=
|exit=♦
|road=Carroll Canyon Road
|notes=HOV access only
}}
{{CAint|exit
|mile=26.92
|mile2=28.15
|exit=27
|road=Mira Mesa Boulevard / Vista Sorrento Parkway / Sorrento Valley Road
|notes=Signed as exits 27A (Mira Mesa/Vista Sorrento) and 27B (Sorrento Valley Road) northbound; Vista Sorrento Parkway not signed southbound
}}
{{CAint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=28.73
|mspan=2
|exit=33AExit number follows I-5 rather than I-805.
|road={{jct|state=CA|road|I-5 Local Bypass|to2=to|SR|56|dir2=east}}
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance
}}
{{CAint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=none
|exit=—
|road={{Jct|state=CA|I|5|dir1=north|name1=San Diego Freeway|city1=Los Angeles}}
|notes=No access to I-5 south; northern terminus; I-5 south exit 31
}}
{{jctbtm|exit|keys=hov,incomplete}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
See also
- {{portal-inline|California Roads}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
{{Attached KML|display=inline,title}}
{{CASR external links|I|805}}
- [http://www.aaroads.com/california/i-805_ca.html I-805] at AARoads.com
- [http://www.cahighways.org/505-805.html#805 I-805] at California Highways
{{3di|5}}