Caltrans to Light Freeway Near Border

In an effort to reduce traffic fatalities that occur as illegal aliens dash across freeways at night, the California Transportation Commission on Friday approved $175,000 for a demonstration project that will put more lighting on freeways near the Mexican border.

The lighting is part of a $1.06-million project approved by Caltrans on Friday to improve six California state highways in San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties.

Many of the 70 pedestrian fatalities in the last three years were killed at the proposed lighting site on Interstate 805, from Palm Avenue to Otay Valley Road, said Jim Larson, public affairs officer with Caltrans.

“We targeted the area over one year ago, but things have changed a little bit down there,” Larson said. “We picked the area that was the worst at the time. But the construction of homes in that area has changed the character of the territory; the hiding places are gone. Now, most of the accidents happen on I-5 near Dairy Mart Road.

“The area’s always going to be changing, but we wanted to have a demonstration project to light the road and fringe areas. The problem is that the motorist can’t see in those dark areas. If we can light them up, they’ll have more visibility beyond their headlights,” Larson said.

After analysis of the demonstration on I-805, the commission will consider putting lighting along I-5 depending on the cost, Larson said. “We’re also considering a 5- or 6-foot high fencing down the middle of the freeway that would be hard to penetrate. It might be a deterrent.”

Caltrans is also launching a public awareness campaign targeted at motorists in the next few weeks with television, radio and advertising announcements warning them of the crossing aliens and asking them to keep speeds down to at least the legal limit. “A speed survey shows an average of 60 m.p.h.,” Larson said.