Politics & Government

SR-52 Expansion Set to Open to Traffic March 29

The freeway extension opening has been delayed, but not for too long.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) announced today that the State Route 52 expansion through Santee will open to traffic on Tuesday, March 29, as long as weather predictions hold true.

The much-anticipated opening of the , officially known as the "Sunny Side Gateway," was originally set to open March 26, but was delayed due to , according to Caltrans.

“Due to rain, the opening has been delayed,” said Caltrans Media Information Officer Edward Cartegena.

Find out what's happening in Santeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This project completes an  18-mile link from SR-67 all the way to I-5. Construction began  in  2008  and  was paid for with $133 million from the state’s  Proposition  1B Transportation Bond Program, $35 million from the regions TransNet half-cent sales tax and federal funds.

About 20,000 people came out to play on the freeway during last weekend's Grand Opening festival. Also, if you are trying to be one of the first to drive on the , you better plan on staying up late, Caltrans usually opens such roads to new traffic between 3 and 5 a.m.

Find out what's happening in Santeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Updated @ 4:15 p.m. to include new opening date.


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