ENCINITAS — The Encinitas City Council has approved a cooperative agreement with the California Department of Transportation to repair deteriorating barrier rails on the Leucadia Boulevard bridge over Interstate 5, advancing a long-planned maintenance project along one of the city’s major corridors.
The agreement, approved unanimously as part of the consent calendar at the council’s March 11 meeting, authorizes up to $226,232 for the work, including a 15% contingency.
The city maintains the Leucadia Boulevard bridge, including the roadway, barrier rails, and other surface features, under a freeway maintenance agreement with Caltrans executed in November 1992.
The bridge was constructed in 1965 alongside the development of Interstate 5 through Encinitas.
The structure spans approximately 220 feet in length and 96 feet in width. Caltrans last modified the bridge in 1999 and conducts periodic inspections, according to city records.
In 2022, city staff identified issues with chipping concrete on the bridge’s barrier rails, along with other maintenance concerns.
Following discussions between the city and Caltrans staff beginning in October 2025, officials determined the scope of work would include hydroblasting deteriorated concrete from the barrier rails, replacing corroded steel reinforcement and patching affected surfaces.
Due to its access to freeway-contractor crews, Caltrans was identified as the most cost-effective option for completing the work, according to the city.
Construction is expected to begin this summer and last about two months. Lane closures on Interstate 5 are anticipated during the project.
