County approves new traffic signals, road improvements and filtration project
by ECM | February 12, 2026 8:11 am
By Donna Durckel,[1] County of San Diego Communications Office
Photo: rendering of final road improvements
February 12, 2026 (San Diego) – The Board of Supervisors approved three major infrastructure projects to improve safety, mobility and sustainability in unincorporated communities: new traffic signals in Lakeside and Fallbrook, road upgrades in Valley Center and a stormwater filtration project in Fallbrook.
New Traffic Signals
Supported by local planning groups, new signals will be installed at:
- Lake Jennings Park Road & El Monte-Julian Avenue, Lakeside
- Mission Road & Santa Margarita Drive, Fallbrook
- Mission Road & Pepper Tree Lane, Fallbrook
With an anticipated cost of $4.74 million, construction begins in Fall 2026, with completion expected by Spring 2027.
County Public Works operates a comprehensive traffic engineering program that helps keep roads safe and efficient. Services include establishing all traffic regulations, operating and maintaining traffic signals and streetlights, issuing traffic control and special event permits, and addressing traffic-related customer service concerns.
Any requests or recommendations—such as changes to traffic control, speed limits, stop signs, traffic signals, or parking regulations—require approval from the Board of Supervisors.
Cole Grade Road Improvements
The County will invest $27.25 million in the construction of Phase 1 of the Cole Grade Road Improvement Project, upgrading nearly one mile of roadway between Pauma Heights Road and Cool Valley Road. Improvements include:
- A center two-way, left-turn lane
- Bicycle lanes in both directions
- A multi-use trail along the west side of the road
- A new bridge and improved culverts at Keys Creek just north of Cool Valley Road
- Vegetated bioswales to capture and treat stormwater
- An underground storm drain system to safely convey flows and prevent roadway flooding
Cole Grade Road serves as a primary emergency evacuation route and provides access to schools, tribal communities and the Valley Center Library.
South Mission Road Green Street
Photo, right: sample biofiltration in a Green Street project.Fallbrook will also see a $7.7 million Green Streets project along South Mission Road between Mission Oaks Road and Ammunition Road. Features include:
- Six biofiltration basins and 23 tree wells to capture and filter stormwater pollutants before discharge into the San Luis Rey River tributary
- New trees for shade and air quality improvements, supporting the County’s Climate Action Plan canopy expansion goals
Green Streets projects[2] reduce pollutants, enhance aesthetics, and promote sustainability. The County has completed eight such projects and has 11 more planned.
At-a-glance, County Public Works currently maintains:
- Almost 2,000 centerline miles of roadways
- Approximately 19,000 culverts
- 208 bridges
- 223 traffic signals
- Over 39,000 traffic signs
- Over 1,200 miles of bike lanes
- Over 500 miles of sidewalks
- About 56 miles of guard rails, and
- A robust Watershed Protection Program
Endnotes:
- Donna Durckel,: https://www.countynewscenter.com/author/ddurckel/
- Green Streets projects: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/dpw/watersheds/GI-Projects/
Source URL: https://webvibrantamerica.com/county-approves-new-traffic-signals-road-improvements-and-filtration-project/