Interstate 15 Express Lanes closed this weekend in Mira Mesa area

SAN DIEGO - Both the northbound and southbound Interstate 15 (I-15) Express Lanes between State Route 56 (SR-56) and SR-163 will be closed this weekend beginning Friday night at 8 through Monday morning at 5. The northbound closure will be from Miramar Road/Pomerado Road to Mira Mesa Boulevard. The southbound closure will be from Mercy Road/Scripps Poway Parkway to Miramar Way.

During this time, a temporary wood and steel structure will be erected over the Express Lanes as crews continue to construct the Mira Mesa Direct Access Ramp (DAR). Signs will be posted on the freeway to direct Express Lanes motorists where to exit and re-enter the lanes.

The Mira Mesa DAR along with the new Miramar College Transit Station, which is also under construction, will link to the I-15 Express Lanes via Hillery Drive. This will be the fifth DAR constructed along the I-15 Corridor and will support future Rapid Transit service beginning in the summer of 2014. Construction of the DAR and transit station is scheduled to be complete next year.

In summer 2014, a Rapid Transit system will begin running on the I-15 Express Lanes. This new high-frequency express bus service, the first of its kind in San Diego, will be more reliable and convenient, similar to the services of a light rail system. The I-15 Express Lanes is open to carpoolers, vanpoolers, public transit vehicles, motorcyclists, and those driving permitted clean air vehicles for free. Solo drivers can use the Express Lanes by paying a toll via a FasTrak(r) account.