All lanes of State Route 78 through the Oceanside-Carlsbad-Vista area have reopened after two months of work to repair damaged culverts from the winter’s heavy rains, Caltrans officials announced May 8.

The work was needed when a sinkhole began developing, which required the closure of all westbound lanes near El Camino Real on March 15 to repair nine culverts. Most of those lanes reopened and the work shifted to the eastbound lanes by April 5.

“At least nine crews from local small business contractors worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with some putting their personal lives on hold to get the work done quickly,” Caltrans stated in a news release.

The closures resulted in ongoing traffic challenges for commuters.

“We would like to thank the community, the cities of Oceanside and Vista, the traveling public, and local businesses for their patience and understanding while we completed this emergency work project at more than $21 million,” Caltrans District 11 Chief Deputy Director Everett Townsend said in the announcement.

The No. 1 westbound lane opened Monday at 11 a.m. and all eastbound lanes opened by 2 p.m., according to Caltrans. Final work to wrap up the project will continue over the next two weeks, requiring occasional night and shoulder closures.