More 'Metering' on SR-78 Could Reduce Traffic Into Carlsbad

Caltrans will add nine additional red light stops on highway on-ramps along State Route 78 this month in an effort to help reduce traffic congestion on the busy highway. 

Known as "metering," the red lights, which will operate during heavy commute hours, have been shown to reduce bottlenecks at onramps off busy streets that are created when too many vehicles try to get onto the highway at the same time. 

Though the the additional red lights are being planned for roads in San Marcos and Vista, it will no doubt have an impact on Carlsbad, Oceanside and other North County residents who frequently use the east-west thoroughfare. 

According to U-T San Diego, the nine roads that will be metered (from east to west) are: Nordahl Road; East Barham Drive; northbound and southbound Twin Oaks Valley Road; northbound and southbound San Marcos Boulevard; Las Posas Road; Rancho Santa Fe Road; and Sycamore Avenue.

“You have to stop at a light and sometimes wait in line, but the freeway should flow once you’re on it,” Caltrans Division Chief Tom Bouquin told the newspaper, adding that metering would ultimately reduce door-to-door travel times.