Several projects along El Camino Real near Cannon Road are underway or in the works as part of the city’s work to keep roadways safe and traffic flowing smoothly. We know traffic is one of the community’s top concerns, so here’s a quick update on how we’re improving one of Carlsbad’s busiest roads:
Pedestrian bridge, sidewalk improvements
In April, the city began construction on a project to improve pedestrian safety over Agua Hedionda Creek at the Cannon Road and El Camino Real intersection.
We’re building a new pedestrian bridge and widening sidewalks over Agua Hedionda Creek to provide safer and more inviting pedestrian access.
The closed southbound lane through the Cannon intersection is expected to reopen ahead of schedule, probably in mid-October.
On the north side of the road, the contractor has been drilling up to 180 feet into bedrock to build the new pedestrian bridge.
The dedicated right turn lane of northbound ECR onto eastbound Cannon Road will stay closed until the entire project is finished, which is expected to be in spring 2022.
New northbound lane, enhanced bike lane on El Camino Real at Cannon
We are currently getting bids for the next phase of improvements at Cannon Road and El Camino Real.
The project will realign the median and re-stripe northbound El Camino Real to provide a third northbound lane near the intersection.
It will also include an enhanced dedicated bike lane heading northbound.
Existing left- and right-turn lanes onto westbound and eastbound Cannon will remain.
Once bids are received and evaluated by city staff, a recommendation to award a construction contract will return to the City Council, expected in late Jan. 2022.
Construction is expected to begin by spring 2022 and be completed by summer 2022.
Widening El Camino Real between Poinsettia Lane and Camino Vida Roble
Right now, northbound El Camino Real drops to two lanes through part of this area. This project will widen 1,500 feet of road between Cinnabar Way and Camino Vida Roble, then restripe the roadway from Poinsettia Lane through the project area to create a consistent third northbound lane.
The project will also enhance existing bike lanes to create 8-foot lanes with 3-foot buffers, along with green striping as an extra safety measure at conflict areas.
To improve pedestrian connectivity and safety, a new northbound sidewalk will be added. (The existing sidewalk now ends at Cinnabar Way.)
On the east side of El Camino Real, crews will install new streetlights and add 200 feet of retaining wall to reduce the project’s impact to environmentally sensitive areas and private property.
Once we receive City Council’s input and approval on the design in early 2022, the city will begin advertising for bids. Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2022.
Please drive carefully in the construction zone and take alternate routes when possible to help ease traffic during construction.
Staff contacts
Steven Didier, Municipal Projects Manager
steven.didier@carlsbadca.gov, 760-994-9485
Brandon Miles, Associate Engineer
brandon.miles@carlsbadca.gov, 760-602-2745
