In June 2019, I sent a message to Caltrans requesting a change in the signage on I-805 northbound at El Cajon Blvd. The sign didn’t reflect the lane assignments and can be confusing to motorists not familiar with the interchange. In November, I got a response and they will not only change the sign but will move where it is placed. I thought that was pretty cool. Once again, it takes so little to make a positive change. I encourage others to do so as well.
My message:
| CSR Ticket Number: | 757911 |
| Date Submitted: | 2019-06-17 14:04:28 |
| Date Completed: | 2019-11-12 00:00:00 |
| California County: | San Diego |
| State Highway Route: | 805 |
| Nearest Town or City: | San Diego |
| Nearest Cross Street: | El Cajon Blvd |
| Mode of Transportation: | Motorcycle |
| Direction of Travel: | Northbound |
| Date & Time Situation Noticed: | 2019-06-17 12 noon – 1 pm |
| Type of Situation: | Signs – Missing, Broken, Blocked or Down |
| Description of Situation: | NB El Cajon Blvd exit sign is missing an EXIT ONLY tab and optional lane arrow. It can be confusing to motorists that don’t realize there are two possible lanes to use to exit at El Cajon Blvd when heading NB. |
| Geographic Location of Situation: | On NB I-805 approaching El Cajon Blvd |
Caltrans response:
Message from Customer Service Liaison: Our Traffic Operations Engineer reviewed this issue and provided the following response. You can expect to see a project in the near future. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Traffic Safety & Operations (South Region) is recommending the existing overhead panel be upgraded and re-positioned to centered above the two lanes of the exit ramp and also, additional sign be installed at the northbound I-805 exit ramp to El Cajon Boulevard per California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), 2014 Edition. We will initiate a Minor B project to upgrade the existing overhead panel and forward a request to Operations Support to install “RIGHT LANE MUST EXIT SIGN” and 8-inch solid white line approaching the exit ramp.
KUDOS!!
What I would really appreciate from Caltrans is for them to make their signs reflective again, and to ILLUMINATE THEM. The outmoded fluorescent bulbs need to be replaced by LED (I know, they are “expensive” initially, but up here in N Cal, there are many “what’s coming up” and especially offramp signs that are not only not reflective, but not lit at all. How many near misses have occurred (accidents maybe)? Unacceptable.
Let them know! They have changed their policy with the addition of the retroreflective signs however. Interchange signs should be lit though as they are a point where a decision must be made.