San Diego Airport Begins Major Access Road Improvements

Multi-phase project will upgrade surrounding roads and improve access to San Diego International Airport

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority has begun construction on a major programme of roadway improvements designed to improve access to and from San Diego International Airport (SAN) and support the airport’s long-term development.

The multi-phase project covers Grape Street, Palm Street and Pacific Highway near the airport and includes roadway rehabilitation, additional vehicle capacity, traffic-signal modernisation, railroad-crossing improvements, accessibility upgrades, separated bicycle lanes and new street lighting.

Construction is expected to continue through autumn 2027.

The improvements form part of the Airport Authority’s investment in transportation infrastructure supporting SAN and neighbouring communities. They also fulfil mitigation requirements associated with the airport’s 2020 Airport Development Plan Environmental Impact Report, which assessed the wider transportation impacts of the airport’s development.

Atif Saeed, President and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, said the improvements would strengthen the transportation network serving the airport and surrounding communities.

“We’re investing in infrastructure that will deliver lasting benefits for our communities while strengthening the transportation network that keeps our region connected.”

Roadway upgrades

On Grape Street, work will include pavement rehabilitation, upgraded traffic signals, new vehicle and bicycle detection systems, an additional vehicle travel lane and a separated bicycle lane.

Pacific Highway will receive pavement rehabilitation, reconstructed medians, traffic-signal modifications, pedestrian and ADA accessibility improvements, new street lighting and separated bicycle lanes.

On Palm Street, improvements will include pavement rehabilitation, a new traffic signal at Kettner Boulevard, upgraded signals around the railroad crossing, additional travel lanes, pedestrian crossing improvements and new street lighting.

Temporary lane closures and traffic shifts will be required during construction, although access to the airport, surrounding neighbourhoods, businesses and emergency services will be maintained.

Work on Grape Street is scheduled primarily for Sunday through Thursday nights, while Pacific Highway construction will generally take place during weekday daytime hours. Work on Palm Street is scheduled to begin in January 2027.

Some parking spaces on Grape Street will be permanently removed to accommodate the improvements.

Hazard Construction Engineering, LLC is the project’s contractor. The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority previously awarded the company a $14.44 million contract for the off-site intersection and roadway improvements.

The project is being delivered from summer 2026 through autumn 2027 and is intended to provide additional capacity, improved traffic flow and more efficient access to SAN.

Source: San Diego County Regional Airport Authority