State Route 78 is one of North County San Diego’s most important transportation corridors, connecting communities, commuters, businesses, and regional traffic across nearly 18 miles of roadway. Through the SR-78 SHOPP Asset Management Project, Baker Electric is helping deliver critical infrastructure upgrades designed to support safer, smarter, and more efficient travel along this heavily used route.
Located in San Marcos, CA, the Caltrans project represents a major investment in the long-term performance of the corridor. With a project value of $21 million and more than 66,000 manhours, Baker Electric’s work reflects the scale, coordination, and technical execution required to modernize essential transportation infrastructure while minimizing impacts to the traveling public.
Baker’s scope includes the installation of Intelligent Transportation System infrastructure that helps improve how traffic is monitored, managed, and communicated across the corridor. These systems include fiber optic communications, CCTV cameras, ramp metering upgrades, signal improvements, highway advisory radio systems, and bridge lighting. Together, these improvements strengthen real-time traffic visibility, support safer driving conditions, and help transportation agencies respond more effectively to changing roadway conditions.
A key part of the work includes the installation of approximately 46,000 feet of microduct to support advanced communications infrastructure throughout the corridor. This underground pathway is essential to enabling the fiber optic systems and technology upgrades that help make modern transportation networks more connected and responsive.
Delivering this work on an active highway requires detailed planning, close coordination, and disciplined field execution. Much of the construction has taken place at night to help reduce disruption for motorists and maintain traffic flow through one of the region’s busiest routes. Baker Electric’s crews have worked within complex roadway conditions, coordinating around traffic control, access limitations, schedule demands, and the safety requirements of highway construction.
Project insights were shared by Senior Project Manager Ron Marin, who provided a closer look at the planning and execution behind the work. From underground infrastructure to roadway technology systems, the SR-78 project highlights Baker Electric’s role in supporting transportation improvements that serve communities today while preparing the corridor for the future.
As North County continues to grow, infrastructure projects like SR-78 are essential to improving mobility, safety, and system reliability. Baker Electric is proud to contribute the electrical expertise and field leadership needed to help modernize this critical regional corridor.
