Today, the City of San Diego reopened the intersection of La Media and Airway roads in Otay Mesa after completion of a more than two-year project to enhance safety, relieve congestion and alleviate flooding along a three-quarter mile stretch of this vital cross-border corridor. 

“When you take a look around the intersection of La Media Road and Airway Road, it is easy to see the immediate impact these improvements are having,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Vehicles are now moving through this once-congested area quickly thanks to the expanded lanes, giving both local businesses and cross-border transporters more efficient access their destinations. I am excited to see the economic growth this major infrastructure investment will bring in the years to come.”  

The $60.6 million project, which began in March 2023, raised the intersection of La Media and Airway roads and installed drainage structures to address persistent flooding. La Media Road was also upgraded to a six-lane primary arterial from State Route 905 to Airway Road and to a five-lane major road between Airway and Siempre Viva roads with three southbound lanes and two northbound lanes. Additional improvements include buffered bike lanes, parkway landscaping, and new traffic signals, curb ramps and continental crosswalks. 

La Media Road is part of the designated truck route for the Otay Mesa Port of Entry and is a vital location for boosting the cross-border economy. It’s a critical corridor for California imports and exports, with more than 3,000 commercial vehicles per day carrying tens of billions’ worth of goods southbound through the Otay Mesa Port of Entry each year.   

“La Media Road has been a top priority for me since day one in office. For years, this community was overlooked and told there was no funding. But I fought back, got creative, and made the city and state pay attention,” City Councilmember Vivian Moreno, who represents the area. “This road represents more than infrastructure — it’s a victory for the people of Otay Mesa who never stopped pushing for the investment they deserve.” 

“La Media Road is California’s key Export Corridor, and with the recent lane expansions and upgrades, it now truly reflects its vital role,” said Alejandra Mier y Teran, executive director of the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce. 

“This roadway will now serve as a vital gateway for the flow of billions of dollars in cross-border commerce between the United States and Mexico,” said David Wick, president and CEO of Truck.Net and a member of the Otay Mesa Community Planning Group. “This achievement is a true testament to the power of public and private partnerships, and it is something we can all take pride in.”  

With support from stakeholders, including Caltrans, the California Transportation Commission and SANDAG, the City was able to secure $22.7 million in state grant funds to help cover the costs of the project's construction phase.