The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) have announced the completion of two major transportation improvements along Interstate 805 (I-805).

The two new projects will provide the region with a combined ten miles of new carpool lanes as well as a direct access ramp (DAR).

The first project is the I-805 Carpool Lane and Carroll Canyon Road Extension Project in San Diego’s Golden Triangle area.

"These projects are critical components of a broader planned region-wide effort to create new choices for travellers."

It is expected to open within the next two weeks with two miles of new carpool lanes, creating a continuous ten-mile carpool lane in each direction from Mira Mesa Boulevard in Sorrento Valley to Manchester Avenue on Interstate 5 in Encinitas.

The second project is a new DAR, which will allow the commuters on Carroll Canyon Road to directly access the carpool lanes on I-805 at its merge with I-5.

Caltrans director Malcolm Dougherty said: "Caltrans and our transportation partners here in San Diego are working on many improvements along I-805 that will provide more transportation choices, reduce carbon emissions by offering motorists more carpool lanes, and improve the quality of life for those who live, work, and travel in San Diego."

The projects involved an investment of $94.8m, and were developed through a partnership between Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration, and the city of San Diego.

They were funded by $51.8m from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $32.4m from the regional TransNet half-cent sales tax administered by SANDAG and $10.6 million from the city of San Diego.

About eight miles of new carpool lanes will open within the next two weeks between East Naples Street in Chula Vista and State Route 94 in San Diego as part of the first phase of the I-805 South Express Lanes Project.

Other improvements which are currently ongoing include a transit station, park and ride lot at East Palomar Street, sound walls to reduce freeway noise and a DAR.

Once the DAR is completed, carpoolers will be able to enter the I-805 carpool lanes without driving on the freeway’s general purpose lanes.

The new DAR, transit station and park and ride lot will also offer commuters access to the future South Bay Bus Transit system.

The phase is expected to involve an investment of $155m, including $56 million from Proposition 1B, a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond.

SANDAG board chair and Santee council member Jack Dale said: "These projects are critical components of a broader planned region-wide effort to create new choices for travellers. Our plans include not only highways, but rail, rapid bus, and bicycle improvements."