OCEANSIDE — Full lane closures along westbound state Route 78 were extended today through the rest of the week as maintenance workers continued emergency repairs to a collapsed metal culvert that led to the formation of a large sinkhole.
All westbound SR-78 lanes from College Boulevard to El Camino Real in Oceanside will remain closed until at least March 27 due to ongoing repairs and continued rain, according to Caltrans.
“We have a culvert that failed, that we have an emergency contract to correct,” Caltrans engineer Shawn Rizzutto told CBS8. “We have about 12 inches of depression that we’re going to need to repave back, and we’re going to go in and replace the culvert.”
Crews located the broken culvert — a pipe that drains water — approximately 30 feet underground. Since emergency repairs began last Wednesday, Caltrans officials have also reported the discovery of three more critically-damaged culverts in the nearby area.
Portable message signs along Interstate 15 and westbound SR-78 were placed to alert motorists of the closure. Drivers may detour to the College Boulevard/Vista Way off-ramp, then west on Vista Way to the westbound SR-78 El Camino Real on-ramp.
After heavy flooding caused the corrugated metal pipes to collapse, displaced water carved new routes underground, creating a giant sinkhole.
“(The water) turned the ground underneath the highway into Swiss cheese,” said Vista Mayor John Franklin. “The ground underneath the highway is no longer reliable. So there is a potential for collapse anytime. And the rain is making things worse.”
Once work is completed and the soil is compacted on the west side of the highway, Caltrans officials said motorists could expect eastbound SR-78 lanes to close for approximately two weeks. Caltrans will update the construction schedule as new information becomes available, the agency wrote in a release.
Supervisor Jim Desmond criticized SANDAG for not making upgrades to SR-78 after voters approved a half-cent tax measure for repairs in 2004. Desmond urged the regional planning agency to renew its commitment to prioritize the North County highway.
“Despite paying this tax until 2048, SANDAG has not made the upgrades and has instead opted for less used public transportation and mass transit projects,” Desmond said in a statement. “SANDAG must maintain its promise to San Diegans and make SR-78 a priority, as it is vital to the safety of North County. It is time for SANDAG to come back to the table with a regional transportation plan that benefits everyone in San Diego County.”
Franklin said the corrugated metal pipes should have been updated to concrete long ago with resources allocated from Sacramento.
“Unfortunately, this product was allowed for use,” Franklin said. “Now, everything is concrete and lasts 100 years. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Caltrans estimated repairs to cost at least $20 million.
On Tuesday morning, Caltrans announced the eastbound SR-78 on-ramp at El Camino Real was closed due to flooding. Transportation agency representatives advised commuters to avoid the area and to drive carefully as another winter storm is expected to hit the area.
For real-time traffic information, including road closures and maintenance work, click here.
Steve Puterski contributed to this report.
