SAN Begins Dowtown Road Improvement

SAN DIEGO, CA — August 17, 2026 – Today, t he San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (Airport Authority) begins construction on the roadways near the airport, advancing a major investment in transportation infrastructure serving San Diego International Airport (SAN) and neighboring communities.

These improvements advance regional goals to improve traffic operations and access to and from the airport. The improvements meet mitigation requirements of the 2020 Airport Development Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which is tied to the City’s 2016 Downtown Mobility Plan and the 2028 Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan. 

"We're investing in infrastructure that will deliver lasting benefits for our communities while strengthening the transportation network that keeps our region connected," said Atif Saeed, President and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. "These upgrades will improve mobility, accessibility, and efficiency for travelers, support our neighboring communities, and help ensure the airport continues to serve the region for generations to come."

The multi-phase project will improve Grape Street, Palm Street, and Pacific Highway through roadway rehabilitation, traffic signal modernization, railroad crossing enhancements, accessibility improvements, separated bicycle lanes, upgraded street lighting, and added vehicle capacity where needed. Construction is expected to continue through fall 2027.

To reduce impacts on travelers and nearby residents, construction will occur Sunday through Thursday from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Grape Street and Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Pacific Highway. Construction on Palm Street is scheduled to begin in January 2027, with construction days and hours to be announced closer to the start date.

Temporary lane closures and traffic shifts are expected; however, access to the airport, surrounding neighborhoods, businesses, and emergency services will be maintained throughout construction.

To make room for the improvements on Grape Street, some parking spaces will be permanently removed.

Hazard Construction Engineering, LLC will serve as the project's contractor.

To learn more about this project and sign up for email alerts, please click here .  For more information about the San Diego International Airport, please click here .

ABOUT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SAN)

Owned and operated by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, San Diego International Airport (SAN) is one of the region’s most important civic assets, serving more than 25 million passengers each year as the community’s gateway to the world and contributing nearly $12 billion annually to the local economy. Conveniently located minutes from Downtown San Diego, SAN is the busiest single-runway airport in North America and the third-largest airport in California, with service to nearly 90 destinations around the globe, including 11 nonstops to Europe, Latin America, Canada, and Asia. In 2025, the Authority opened the first phase of the new Terminal 1, a more efficient facility recently recognized as one of the most beautiful airport terminals in the world. When the new Terminal 1 is fully completed in 2028, it will have generated more than $4.5 billion for San Diego’s economy and created more than 25,000 jobs, paying a total of $2 billion in wages to local workers. The Authority’s continued investment in the airport experience strengthens San Diego’s global competitiveness while delivering lasting value for the community.