Torrey Pines Road guardrail construction now slated to begin next summer

Published: Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 12:00 am

Guardrail Project on Torrey Pines Road Delayed, Construction to Begin Next Summer

San Diego city officials have announced a delay in the guardrail replacement project on Torrey Pines Road. The project, which involves replacing a temporary K-rail barrier with a metal bridge rail, is now slated to begin next summer, months later than originally planned. The initial timeline aimed for construction to commence this winter and conclude by next summer.

The delay is attributed to the need to confirm the location of underground utilities. This process involves pothole activity to gather the necessary information, which is now being incorporated into the final design plans. The design phase is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Following this, an advertising phase will begin this winter, where the city will solicit bids from contractors for the project.

Preliminary work, including pothole activity, was conducted in August, causing significant traffic congestion and commute times as long as 40 minutes. This led to concerns among residents, with some anticipating a "traffic nightmare." However, the city plans to conduct the actual construction at night to mitigate similar disruptions. The plan involves closing the northern westbound traffic lane and its neighboring bike lane during nighttime hours, with the area cleared for vehicle use during the day.

The project's origins trace back to January 2018, when a car accident prompted the installation of the K-rail as a temporary safety measure. The permanent solution, a 42-inch-tall ST-75 bridge rail, is designed to be more robust and provide better visibility than the existing barrier.

BNN's Perspective: While the delay is understandable given the need for thorough planning, the extended timeline will likely frustrate residents who have already experienced traffic disruptions. The city's commitment to nighttime construction is a positive step towards minimizing the impact on daily commutes. However, the project's long history underscores the complexities of infrastructure improvements and the importance of balancing safety with community convenience.

Keywords: guardrail, construction, Torrey Pines Road, delay, traffic, San Diego, utilities, project, K-rail, bridge rail, nighttime work, La Jolla

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