Interstate 905 California

Route Status

Western Terminus

Eastern Terminus

Routing/Future Aspirations

Interstate 905 is the future designation for current California 905, an east-west highway across Otay Mesa in southern San Diego. Currently, California 905 is a freeway from its western terminus at Interstate 5 east to one-half mile east of Interstate 805; the rest of the route is an expressway with traffic signals. An interchange is under construction between California 905 and Siempre Viva Road near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. The environmental study for the freeway between Interstate 805 and Siempre Viva Road via California 125 is scheduled for completion in late 2003, and construction is anticipated for completion by 2007.

A major commercial route, California 905 is the main gateway for trucks into Mexico, as trucks are prohibited at the Interstate 5/805 Port of Entry. California 905 is currently a freeway between Interstate 5 and one-half mile east of Interstate 805. The rest of the route is expressway, with six lanes, jersey barrier, and traffic lights at all intersections. Plans call for a new freeway to be constructed south of and parallel to the existing State Route 905 expressway by 2006. Once this freeway is opened, California 905 will be recommissioned as Interstate 905, per an agreement between Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration.

For more on the California 905 project, visit the Caltrans District 11 webpage California 905 Fact Sheet (PDF).

High Priority Corridor

Future Interstate 905 is part of High Priority Corridor 30: Camino Real for its entire length.

Highway Guides

• California 905

	Western Terminus - Interstate 5 - San Ysidro (San Diego), California Perspective from California 905 East Eastbound California 905 begins at Oro Vista Road, just west of Interstate 5. Note the freeway entrance signs adjacent to the traffic signal. The being sign featured in the next photobox is also visible in this photo behind the freeway entrance assembly. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/04/00). Begin Eastbound California 905 shield assembly on the mainline just east of Oro Vista Road traffic light. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/04/00). Perspective from California 905 West This is the first sign for the approaching junction with Interstate 5 as seen from westbound. Photo taken by Andy Field and Casey Cooper (09/01/03). The intervening exit along westbound California 905 is Beyer boulevard, which is actually Historic U.S. 101! Interstate 5 is a half-mile or so ahead of here. Photo taken by Andy Field and Casey Cooper (09/01/03). Westbound California 905 approaching northbound Interstate 5 (left lanes) to downtown and southbound Interstate 5 (right lanes) to Tijuana. Photo taken by Andy Field and Casey Cooper (09/01/03). Westbound California 905 splits into northbound Interstate 5 (left lanes) and southbound Interstate 5 (right lanes). Although it's not signed here, the southbound ramp also connects to westbound Tocayo Avenue and junction Oro Vista Road. Photo taken by Andy Field and Casey Cooper (09/01/03). End Westbound California 905 just east of Oro Vista Road traffic light. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/21/00). California 905 immediately interchanges with Interstate 5 after passing by the Oro Vista Road traffic light. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/04/00). Mainline California 905 stays left, while traffic exiting to Interstate 5 uses these ramps. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/04/00). The overhead "Otay Mesa Road" is technically correct, since westbound California 905 transitions onto Otay Mesa Road east of Interstate 805. However, a California 905 shield would be more appropriate here. Photo taken by Andy Field (03/06/98). Perspective from Interstate 5 North Northbound Interstate 5 approaching Junction Eastbound California/Future Interstate 905 (Exit 3), one-quarter mile. Photo taken by Andy Field and Casey Cooper (09/01/03). Northbound Interstate 5 at Junction Eastbound California/Future Interstate 905 (Exit 3). Yes, the sign already features an Interstate 905 shield, which probably portends the future. Photo taken by Andy Field and Casey Cooper (09/01/03). Once on the exit ramp, traffic may access eastbound Interstate 905 or westbound Tocayo Avenue. While a westerly extension of Interstate 905 through Border Field State Park and the Tia Juana River Valley is proposed legislatively, such an extension is very unlikely given environmental concerns. Photo taken by Andy Field and Casey Cooper (09/01/03). Perspective from Interstate 5 South Trucks may not use the San Ysidro Port of Entry along Southbound Interstate 5; they must use the Otay Mesa Port of Entry accessible via eastbound California 905/Future Interstate 905. Photo taken by Andy Field, Casey Cooper, and Joel Windmiller (06/10/00). View of the fence that separates traffic lanes along southbound Interstate 5 as it approaches California 905/Future Interstate 905 (Exit 3). This fence is designed to keep pedestrians from crossing the freeway and putting themselves into harm's way; signs around this area are posted to warn motorists to watch for pedestrians. Photo taken by Andy Field, Casey Cooper, and Joel Windmiller (06/10/00). Southbound Interstate 5 at Junction California 905/Future Interstate 905 (Exit 3). California 905 leads east to the Otay Mesa Port of Entry via Otay Mesa community and Brown Field. Tocayo Avenue leads west from here into San Ysidro. The next exit is Dairy Mart Road. These signs have been replaced with new, reflective signs with exit numbers. Photos taken by Andy Field, Casey Cooper, and Joel Windmiller (06/10/00). Signage for eastbound California 905 and westbound Tocayo Avenue as seen on the offramp from southbound Interstate 5. Photo taken by Andy Field (12/19/02). Eastern Terminus - International Border - Otay Mesa Port of Entry (San Diego), California Perspective from California 905 West Westbound California 905 signage for distance to Interstates 5 and 805. Photo taken by Andy Field (03/06/98). Perspective from California 905 East Eastbound California 905 approaching the last U-Turn before the Mexican International Border. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/04/00). Guns are illegal in Mexico as evidenced by this sign along eastbound. In 2000, a Marine tested this theory, and he enjoyed a night in the Tijuana Jail. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/04/00). All trucks must take Siempre Viva Road to enter Mexico, as the commercial port of entry is separated from the main port of entry. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/04/00). Eastbound California 905 ends just past this stoplight, where the highway crosses into Mexico. In March 2003, this traffic signal was relocated a block south to accommodate construction of the new freeway interchange between California 905 (Future Interstate 905) and Siempre Viva Road. Once the interchange is complete, the traffic signal will be removed and all traffic will use the interchange to reach businesses in the Otay Mesa area. Photo taken by Andy Field (06/04/00). After passing by the temporary traffic light, Future Interstate 905 enters the port of entry. There is one U-turn available for travelers not wishing to enter Mexico; however, all others enter Mexico in the Otay Mesa section of Tijuana, just east of Rodriguez Field, which is Tijuana's International Airport. Photo taken by Andy Field and Casey Cooper (09/01/03).

Page Updated September 24, 2003.