Update:  The freeway has now reopened, after Cal Trans removed boulders from road and unstable rocks above.

By Miriam Raftery

August 20, 2023 (San DIego’s East County) – The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) reports that Interstate-8 is closed at In-Ko-Pah, due to massive rock slide.

The rockslide is blocking the primary highway connecting San Diego and Imperial Counties.  Ava Thatsme on Facebook posted a photo of a boulder she said was on the I-8 grade.(photo, left)

By Miriam Raftery

November 19, 2022 (La Mesa) – California Highway Patrol seeks witnesses to a fatality accident that occurred yesterday at 10:50 a.m. on Interstate 8 near Severin Drive in La Mesa. 

Motorists advised to allow additional travel time for lane closures and detours

East County News Service

July 9, 2022 (San Diego’s East County)  — Construction crews will reduce lanes on Interstate 8 (I-8) at State Route 67 (SR-67)/Magnolia Avenue Monday and Tuesday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for ongoing electrical work, according to Caltrans. At least one lane will remain open for traffic. The work is part of the I-8/SR-67 Bridge Repair Project.

Motorists advised to allow additional travel time for lane closures and detours

East County News Service

May 28, 2022 (San Diego) - Construction crews will reduce lanes on westbound and eastbound Interstate 8 (I-8) at State Route 67 (SR-67)/Magnolia Avenue Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for electrical work, according to Caltrans. At least one lane will remain open in each direction for traffic. The work is part of the I-8/SR-67 Bridge Repair Project.

By Miriam Raftery

File photo: cc via Bing

March 3, 2022 (San Diego) – If you spotted a bow-and-arrow wielding man on Interstate 8 yesterday, it wasn’t Robin Hood.  California Highway Patrol reports the man attacked the driver of a Toyota Highlander and hijacked the vehicle.

Source: Caltrans

September 17, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- Caltrans crews anticipate closures at Interstate 8 (I-8) and Crestwood Road for four to six weeks beginning Monday to replace guardrail systems. The work will require full closures of the westbound I-8/Crestwood Road on-ramp and the eastbound I-8/Crestwood Road off-ramp near the Golden Acorn Casino, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through early November. Advance notification signs have been placed to inform motorists about the closures. See map below for closure areas.

Weekend detours may cause traffic delays for El Cajon drivers

Source: Caltrans

June 1, 2021 (El Cajon) --  Crews have started bridge repairs at Interstate 8 and State Route 67, requiring two full weekend closures from Friday at 9 p.m. through Monday at 5 a.m., on June 11 and June 18, according to Caltrans.  Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and to prepare for delays by allowing additional travel time to reach their destinations.

UPDATE 5:39 P.M.:  The Evacuation Warning for the Coches Fire has beeen lifted. The Temporary Evacuation Point at W.D. Hall Elementary School is being closed.

UPDATE 4:59 P.M.:  Fire remains at 30 acres, 5% contained.  No structures damaged or destroyed.

4:35 P.M.:  Fire is 30 acres spreading east along I-8 towards Los Coches Road.  Evacuation warnings:  anyone wishing to evacuate can go to WD Hall Elementary.  No evacuation orders at this time.

4:32 P.M.:  Fire is 25 acres spreading east along I-8 towards Los Coches Road.  Evacuation warning for WD Hall Elementary.  No evacuation orders at this time.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

May 12, 2021 (Lakeside) -- Cal Fire is at the scene with cooperators of a vegetation fire along I-8, west of Los Coches Road in the Lakeside area. Four acres, moderate rate of spread. The right lane is closed on eastbound I-8 east of Greenfield.

To receive free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email, sign up at the top right side of our homepage.  You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter for brief text messages on your mobile phone. We thank the Grossmont Healthcare District for their sponsorship of our alerts.

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego News Association

Photo:  Smartphone images of SUV with Nazi flag parked near Alpine Albertsons. Photos by Albert Aguilar

July 4, 2020 (Alpine) - Who’s driving around East County with a Nazi flag on their rear window? And why?

Interstate 8 motorists and an Alpine resident have posted pictures and video of a red-and-black SUV with the black swastika since Monday.

By Miriam Raftery

June 10, 2018 (Alpine) – California Highway Patrol seeks public help to find a person or persons who have been leaving 60-pound concrete parking blocks as well as cinder blocks on Interstate 8 near Alpine. Numerous vehicles have been damaged this year, starting in January. The most recent incidents occurred Saturday shortly after midnight, when eight to ten vehicles were damaged or disabled.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

June 9, 2017 (El Cajon) - Cal Fire crews are at the scene of a 10-acre brush fire south of I-8 at Los Coches.  Lanes are re-opened and the forward spread has been stopped, but be advised.

No structures are threatened or injuries to residents are reported, according to Cal Fire.

The fire is 10% contained.

Source: Caltrans

May 22, 2017 (San Diego) - All lanes of westbound Interstate 8 (I-8) at the Interstate 5 (I-5)/Rosecrans Street interchange will close Sunday and Monday night from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for pavement work, according to Caltrans. All of the connector ramps to northbound and southbound I-5, as well as access to Rosecrans Street, will remain open.  

East County News Service

December 9, 2016 (San Diego) - The connector ramps from westbound I-8 to north and southbound 125 will be closed starting Saturday night at 10:00 p.m., per Caltrans.  They will reopen at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.