Caltrans workers will be on hand over the next few days to monitor the system and make any adjustments needed. The San Diego County ramp metering system controls 222 entrance ramps onto area freeways. San Marcos also has metered ramps onto Highway 78 at Barham Drive and Nordahl Road. Metered ramps are also planned for the Highway 78 onramps at Twin Oaks Valley Road. The Barham Drive ramp meter has been problematic because of the ramp's steep grade, City Engineer Alan Schuler said.
Traffic often backs up at the exit.
The ramp meter at Nordahl Road has a higher volume and allows two cars onto the freeway at once, he said. Schuler said Caltrans has worked to try to improve the timing of the metering at the Barham ramp. He anticipates some problems, especially at first, for the San Marcos Boulevard ramp meters.