Carlsbad works slideshow banner

This page highlights some of the major construction projects happening in Carlsbad. It does not include projects from non-city utilities and private development. See the look ahead map.

Because construction work is very dynamic, schedules can change for a wide variety of reasons, such as weather, availability of supplies and other factors.  If we expect a project to have a significant impact, we typically notify those in the immediate vicinity 72 hours in advance.

For projects along major roadways, you can look for digital message boards for notices about upcoming work that could cause delays or detours. 

Although construction can cause temporary inconveniences, the good news is that we’re maintaining and improving our infrastructure year-round, and by keeping things up to date, we save money in the long run by avoiding emergency repairs. Regular maintenance also helps ensure you don’t experience a last-minute water shut off or road closure.

Highlighted streets projects

Highlighted water/wastewater/drainage projects

15-year project plan

The city's Capital Improvements Program maps out major projects and how they will be funded. Each year, the City Council approves this plan along with the city budget. See project map.

 

CIP dashboard

    Improving neighborhood connections at Chestnut underpass

    Post Date:01/11/2024

    If you’ve driven under I-5 at our neighboring cities to the south, you might have noticed some of the underpasses include artistic features, wide sidewalks and other elements that make them light and inviting. It's now the city's turn to remake one of our main freeway underpasses, and that work is getting started next month.

    The North Coast Corridor Project, which you might recognize as “Build NCC” from signs along the I-5, is a years-long, multi-part project headed up by Caltrans and the San Diego Association of Governments. Most people think about the project as the I-5 widening project, but it also includes several projects designed to enhance communities along the freeway.

     

    Chestnut underpass public art map

      

    • Back in October of 2019, the City Council selected the Chestnut underpass for this project.
    • The other option was Carlsbad Village Drive.
    • The Carlsbad Village Drive location would have been more complex to execute due to its location at a freeway on-ramp and off-ramp, the nearby gas station, traffic signals at the intersections and the drainage system.
    • Plus, the Chestnut underpass links two city parks (and Chase Field) and serves as a main gateway to the city’s historical Barrio area.

    SANDAG and Caltrans are working together to fund and build the improvements, which will include:

    • Bike lanes and parking separated by a buffer
    • Doubling the width of sidewalks
    • Moving curbs to provide better pedestrian crossings
    • Improved landscaping, with native shrubs, groundcovers and street trees
    • Enhanced landscaping facing Holiday Park
    • New retaining walls (to make room for the widened sidewalks)
    • Additional fencing
    • Shielded LED street lighting
    • New lighting under the bridge
    • Cobblestone paving

    Here’s an initial schematic of the project. The plan is to cut into the sloped walls and build retaining walls to create more space. Parking will still be allowed under the underpass as it is today.

    Chestnut underpass cross section

    The city will share updates on the construction schedule, including any planned lane closures or other temporary inconveniences. The underpass is scheduled to be closed just twice during the project, for about 56 hours each time, to allow paving to set. The improvements should be completed by the summer of 2025.

    You can sign up to be notified about projects around the Barrio area if you’d like to get this info emailed to you as it happens.

    Return to full list >>