California State Route 56

Route map:
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State Route 56 marker

State Route 56

Ted Williams Freeway
Map
State Route 56 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by Caltrans
Length9.210 mi[1] (14.822 km)
Existed1964–present
Major junctions
West end I-5 in Carmel Valley, San Diego
East end I-15 in Rancho Peñasquitos, San Diego
Location
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountiesSan Diego
Highway system
← SR 55→ SR 57

State Route 56 (SR 56) is an east–west

north San Diego County, several miles away, and SR 52 near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. It is also named the Ted Williams Freeway, after the San Diego-born baseball player
.

SR 56 was added to the state highway system in 1959 as Legislative Route 278, and was renumbered SR 56 in the 1964 state highway renumbering. Plans in 1964 were to connect SR 56 to the north end of SR 125 and continue east to SR 67, but these plans did not come to fruition. The eastern end from Black Mountain Road to I-15 was completed in 1993; the western end from I-5 to Carmel Creek Road was completed in 1995 after several lawsuits filed by the Sierra Club and other community groups. The two ends were not connected until the middle portion of the freeway was completed in 2004. The delay was largely due to funding issues and environmental concerns.

Route description

SR 56 west at the Carmel Creek Road interchange

Eastbound SR 56 begins as a ramp from the northbound I-5's local bypass lanes. The interchange is not complete; southbound I-5 traffic must exit to Carmel Valley Road before entering SR 56. Westbound traffic on SR 56 merges into the southbound I-5 local bypass lanes, which provide access to I-805. Continuing east, the route then has an interchange at Carmel Creek Road, which provides access to the nearby San Diego Jewish Academy, and proceeds eastward through a residential area. After passing milepost 2, the freeway has another interchange with Carmel Country Road south of the community of Torrey Hills.[2]

SR 56 meets Carmel Valley Road and curves northward, passing Canyon Crest Academy before turning southeastward. The route passes over McGonigle Creek before intersecting Camino Del Sur, which serves the nearby Westview High School. Southeast of Camino Del Sur, SR 56 curves back east, passing under Carmel Mountain Road without an exit. The route encounters exits with Black Mountain Road and Rancho Peñasquitos Boulevard in Rancho Peñasquitos in a primarily residential area before meeting its terminus at a partial cloverleaf interchange with I-15. Past the bridge over I-15, the road continues as Ted Williams Parkway, ending at Twin Peaks Road in Poway.[2]

SR 56 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System;[3] and is part of the National Highway System,[4] a network of highways that are considered essential to the country's economy, defense, and mobility by the Federal Highway Administration.[5] In 2014, SR 56 had an annual average daily traffic (AADT) of 32,000 vehicles between I-15 and the eastern terminus at Ted Williams Parkway, and 81,000 vehicles between Carmel Creek Road and Carmel Country Road, the latter of which was the highest AADT for the freeway.[6]

History

Planning and initial construction

Planning for SR 56 started in 1956, according to San Diego Councilwoman Barbara Warden.

CR S4).[2]

A Bell's vireo, of which the least Bell's vireo is a subspecies

Citizens began to lobby for the construction of SR 56 in 1986, in a similar action to efforts for

Caltrans rejected other routes, and insisted on ending the freeway at I-5 and Carmel Valley Road.[17] The council reversed its decision on May 8; after the public gave several opinions on the matter, Caltrans agreed to set aside 69 acres (28 ha) for environmental mitigation, and $2 million (about $4.12 million in 2023 dollars)[18] was to be set aside for the purchase of land for a park near the San Dieguito River.[19]

In June 1990, the Del Mar Terrace Conservancy and the Carmel Valley Coalition sued the San Diego City Council to require them to move the western terminus of SR 56 closer to Sorrento Valley.[20] On August 1, the City of San Diego received a petition in which more than 45,000 people requested that the City Council overturn their decision or refer it to a public referendum.[21] The City Council backed down and rescinded the appropriate zoning changes on August 7, in efforts to keep the city from having to run a special election. They also approved the plans for the eastern portion between Black Mountain Road and I-15. Meanwhile, the Carmel Valley Coalition sued the city as well.[22] The California Coastal Commission approved the construction on September 13, and several local residents representing both sides of the debate attended the meeting in Marina del Rey.[23]

Construction on the predecessor of SR 56 began on November 16, 1987, the Newland-California Company paying for the work as a local developer.[24] Around 1990, the North City Parkway was completed as a two-lane road between Rancho Peñasquitos Boulevard (then Peñasquitos Boulevard) and I-15, along the proposed route of SR 56.[25] The first official segment of the freeway from Black Mountain Road to I-15 was constructed next, beginning on July 25, 1991 by Daley Corporation and W.R. Connelly Inc.[26] This was scheduled to open in May 1993, at a cost of $13 million[27][28] (about $25.9 million in 2023 dollars).[18]

Opposition to the western segment (from I-5 to Carmel Valley Road) persisted. By 1991, the Del Mar Terrace Conservancy filed an appeal with the 4th District Court of Appeals after losing the lawsuit to the city of San Diego and Caltrans. The Sierra Club had also sued the California Coastal Commission.[29] On July 16, 1992, the Sierra Club withdrew its lawsuit after the City of San Diego agreed to work to keep the Peñasquitos Lagoon flowing to the ocean and to restore a wetland area.[30] Following the Sierra Club's settlement, the City of Del Mar raised an objection to the club's decision to accept a settlement, since the city had given a $7,000 contribution (about $14,000 in 2023 dollars)[18] to the case. The Sierra Club agreed to return the money in August 1992.[31]

The Del Mar Conservancy suit continued, and the plaintiffs requested a court order to stop construction.[30] This lawsuit claimed that the state and city had not done enough environmental studies and mitigation. The 4th District Court of Appeals denied an appeal on October 23.[32] In 1993, citizens complained that funds were being diverted from a recreational park to build the freeway, possibly hindering the development of a new elementary school.[33] The segment was finally completed at a projected cost of $27.2 million (about $51.8 million in 2023 dollars),[18] opening to traffic by 1995.[27][34] The ramps connecting SR 56 to I-5 were opened between 1997 and 1998; traffic was diverted onto Carmel Valley Road in the meantime.[35][36]

Williams in 1949, soon after leaving San Diego for Boston

The freeway is named after

Mt. Carmel High School on July 12, 1992, for the freeway dedication.[43] Kevin McNamara, who had worked with the government to get the name approved despite opposition, was charged $15,000 (about $29,000 in 2023 dollars)[18] for the highway signs when the name was official.[44] The freeway was officially named after Ted Williams in 1993 by the Legislature.[45]

Filling the gap

A 5.5-mile (8.9 km) gap in the freeway remained, nevertheless.[46] Concerns about the missing funds for the freeway date back to 1990.[25] Since the proposed route passed through the open area between Carmel Valley and Rancho Peñasquitos, revenue from the Proposition A sales tax hike could not be used.[47] In 1993, a "Citizens United for State Route 56" group was commissioned to work on the funding issues.[28] Two years later, County Supervisor Pam Slater briefly proposed making SR 56 a toll road in order to raise funds for construction.[48] The city of San Diego agreed to pay $25 million (about $45.7 million in 2023 dollars),[18] and the state indicated that it would contribute $20 million.[49]

Highway 680 was a planned county route that would have run from

Rancho Bernardo. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors cancelled the plans in February 1994, respecting the wishes of the city of Encinitas. There were concerns that some of the traffic from this proposed route would now travel on SR 56 instead.[50] On May 17, 1994, $20 million (about $37.3 million in 2023 dollars)[18] allocated to Highway 680 was given to the SR 56 project.[51]

In January 1998, the State Transportation Improvement Program approved a $245 million allocation (about $427 million in 2023 dollars)[18] for the expansion, and hopes were to finish construction by 2000, with traffic projected to decrease by 20 percent on I-15. There were environmental concerns that fostered consideration of four northern alternatives.[52] One of them was chosen in June 1998 by the San Diego City Council, amid concerns that by moving the route away from "environmentally sensitive canyons", the freeway would be closer to residences.[7] Some of those living in Rancho Glens Estates sued the city over these concerns in August.[53]

SR 56 east at Carmel Creek Road; the exits on the sign were constructed with the missing portion of the freeway that was completed in 2004.

Construction began on the missing portion of SR 56 on October 21, 1999, amid allegations of a missing Army Corps of Engineers permit, at an estimated cost of $111 million[46] (about $191 million in 2023 dollars).[18] The California Coastal Commission approved the extension on May 10, 2000, after residents lost two lawsuits relating to the proximity of the freeway. Caltrans was required to install a drainage system because of the wetlands; this requirement was similar to a court ruling for a project in the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. At this time, the completion was estimated to occur in 2004, at a cost of $151 million[54][55] (about $254 million in 2023 dollars).[18] In October 2000, Carmel Valley Road was extended to Black Mountain Road, providing a paved alternative until SR 56 was completed; commuters had to travel on a 2.2-mile (3.5 km) unpaved road, one of the only roads between I-5 and I-15 in North County.[56]

Local developers contributed $21 million (about $34.5 million in 2023 dollars)[18] for the construction of the interchange at Camino Ruiz, and construction began on July 11, 2001.[57][58] An open house was held on the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) portion of the freeway between the Camino Ruiz (renamed Camino del Sur) interchange and the Black Mountain Road interchange on April 5, 2003. The road was scheduled to open on April 12, 2003, and was projected to decrease the traffic on city streets coming from the extended Carmel Valley Road.[58][59]

The city of San Diego constructed SR 56 from Black Mountain Road to Carmel Mountain Road, and Caltrans built the remaining portion of the route to Carmel Creek Road. The bridges were still under construction in November 2000 on the city portion.[60] San Diego mayor Dick Murphy commissioned the San Diego Freeway Congestion Strike Team to attempt to accelerate stalled freeway projects such as SR 56 in 2001.[34] In May 2001, the City Council allocated another $5.1 million (about $8.38 million in 2023 dollars)[18] to purchase land to build the freeway.[61] Critics stated that the construction of SR 56 was a short-term solution, and that traffic would return by 2020.[62]

FCI Constructors Inc. and W.R. Connelly Inc. won the contract for the Caltrans portion of the new freeway at a bid of $50.2 million (about $81.3 million in 2023 dollars)[18], with completion scheduled for 2004.[63] The freeway was built with two lanes in each direction, additional land being available to expand to three lanes if necessary.[47] The project continued on schedule through the 2003 California budget crisis, receiving $4.3 million from the state in 2003.[64] In 2004, there were citizen complaints about the lack of a sound wall to reduce the freeway noise in private residences.[65] It took until July 19, 2004, to join the west and east ends of the freeway; a public festival was held on the freeway on July 17. The cost of completing the middle 5.5-mile (8.9 km) segment was reported at $220 million in 2004[66] (about $340 million in 2023 dollars).[18] Citizens complained in 2008 that the bike path along SR 56 was difficult to access from the northern side of the interchange with El Camino Real; however, funding issues prevented the construction of a paved path at the time.[67]

Ramps and bypasses

SR 56 ramps to I-5

The construction of a "

I-805. The project would allow for trucks to use the new lanes to assist in merging with traffic.[68] The northbound lanes were scheduled to open in February 2006.[69] The southbound I-15 to westbound SR 56 ramp was improved in a construction project in 2005.[70]

Concerns about the lack of a ramp from westbound SR 56 to northbound I-5 date back from 1988, because of a projected increase of traffic on local Carmel Valley streets.[71] Planning for the missing ramps at the western end of SR 56 was underway in 2008, despite nearby homeowner opposition.[72] Caltrans agreed not to destroy homes in late June 2008, but concerns about noise and funding remained.[73] On June 13, 2012, Caltrans held a public forum to discuss five proposals to address the missing ramps at the western terminus:

  • build the westbound to northbound ramp and the southbound to eastbound ramp,
  • add additional lanes to both SR 56 and I-5,
  • only build the westbound-to-northbound ramp and add lanes to southbound I-5 and eastbound SR 56,
  • build the westbound-to-northbound ramp and add lanes on SR 56 only, or
  • build nothing at all.[74]

A

high-occupancy vehicle lanes between El Camino Real and Carmel Country Road starting in April.[77] On April 24, 2023, the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to allocate $22.5 million and approve the construction of HOV lanes.[78]

Exit list

The entire route is in

San Diego, San Diego County
.

mi
[79]		kmExit
[79]		DestinationsNotes
0.000.001A
 I-5 south		Western terminus; exit 33A on I-5
0.310.501B

 El Camino Real to I-5 north		Westbound exit and eastbound entrance
0.821.321CCarmel Creek RoadSigned as exit 1 eastbound
1.812.912Carmel Country Road
3.104.993Carmel Valley Road
6.079.776Camino del Sur
7.2311.647Black Mountain Road
8.0412.948Rancho Peñasquitos BoulevardConnects to
CR S4
9.2114.829
at-grade intersection
with ramps; east end of freeway; eastern terminus; no exit number westbound; exit 19 on I-15
–Ted Williams Parkway eastContinuation beyond I-15
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

  • sign 
    California Roads portal

References

  1. ^ California Department of Transportation. "State Truck Route List". Sacramento: California Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (XLS file) on June 30, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Microsoft; Nokia (February 7, 2011). "SR 56" (Map). Bing Maps. Microsoft. Retrieved February 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Article 2 of Chapter 2 of Division 1". California Streets and Highways Code. Sacramento: California Office of Legislative Counsel. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  4. ^ Federal Highway Administration (March 25, 2015). National Highway System: San Diego, CA (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  5. ^ Natzke, Stefan; Neathery, Mike & Adderly, Kevin (June 20, 2012). "What is the National Highway System?". National Highway System. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  6. ^ California Department of Transportation (2014). "All Traffic Volumes on CSHS". Sacramento: California Department of Transportation. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
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