Project Background

The Ramona Pipeline is an eight-mile long, east-west pipeline that delivers treated water to local water agencies. The pipeline is owned and operated by the San Diego County Water Authority and travels under Rancho Bernardo Road in the City of San Diego and Espola Road in the City of Poway.

Improvements are needed in small sections of the pipeline to replace aging infrastructure, increase efficiency and create safer access for operations staff.

Work will include building new vaults and replacing buried valves. The new vaults will allow for easier access to inspect and maintain the underground pipeline. A vault is an underground enclosure that houses valves and other mechanical equipment in the pipeline system. Crews will also install new 54-inch turnout valves located within existing vaults. These valves are used to control the flow of water.

Construction improvements will occur in two phases. Phase 1 is scheduled to begin in fall 2026 and has three main work locations.

Two locations are west of I-15 near the intersection of Bing Crosby Boulevard and Artesian Road and on Rancho Bernardo Road near Silver Crest Lane in 4S Ranch.

Work at the third location will occur in late 2026/early 2027 near the freeway entrance on the north side of Rancho Bernardo Road, just west of Bernardo Center Drive. 24/7 work will be required at this location for a 15-day period between December 6-21, 2026.

Phase 2 is planned to begin in late summer 2027 and will occur east of Interstate 15 within and along Rancho Bernardo Road with some work extending onto Espola Road.

Click here to view the work locations on an electronic map.