Pipeline Work to Cause Delays on Rancho Bernardo Road

Westbound lanes on Rancho Bernardo Road near I-15 to close for pipeline repairs later this year

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The San Diego County Water Authority will be conducting work on the Ramona Pipeline in Rancho Bernardo, resulting in lane closures and traffic delays on westbound Rancho Bernardo Road near Interstate 15 for at least a couple of weeks between November 2026 and January 2027. The exact timing is not yet known, but drivers are encouraged to seek alternative routes to access the freeway during this period.

Why it matters

The Ramona Pipeline is a critical water delivery system for the region, but the planned construction work will significantly impact traffic flow in a highly congested area of Rancho Bernardo. This could cause headaches for commuters and businesses in the area, highlighting the challenge of maintaining aging infrastructure while minimizing disruptions to the community.

The details

The pipeline work will involve replacing buried valves and relocating cathodic protection test stations along Rancho Bernardo Road. While two other work sites in 4S Ranch and Del Sur will have minimal impact, the closure of up to two westbound lanes near The Mercado shopping center is expected to cause major delays. The water authority is working to space out the construction in two phases to reduce the overall impact on the community.

  • The pipeline work is scheduled to take place between November 2026 and January 2027.
  • The exact dates for the lane closures on westbound Rancho Bernardo Road near I-15 are not yet known.

The players

San Diego County Water Authority

The regional water agency responsible for the Ramona Pipeline and the planned construction work.

Craig Balben

A public affairs representative for the San Diego County Water Authority.

Rebecca Cole

A consultant and public outreach specialist on the Ramona Pipeline Improvements Project for the San Diego County Water Authority.

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What they’re saying

“The work that we are going to do on this pipeline is going to impact the Rancho Bernardo community”

— Craig Balben, Public Affairs Representative, San Diego County Water Authority (San Diego Union-Tribune)

“We tried to design the project to minimize impacts as much as possible”

— Craig Balben, Public Affairs Representative, San Diego County Water Authority (San Diego Union-Tribune)

What’s next

The San Diego County Water Authority plans to return to the Rancho Bernardo Community Council with additional details on Phase II of the pipeline project, which is scheduled to begin in fall 2027 and conclude in late 2028.

The takeaway

The upcoming pipeline work on Rancho Bernardo Road highlights the challenges of maintaining critical infrastructure while minimizing disruptions to the local community. The water authority's efforts to phase the construction and communicate with residents are important steps, but drivers should still prepare for significant traffic delays in the area later this year.