State-of-the-Art Improvements for Eight-Mile Stretch of Famous Road
By Dolores Quintana
The Malibu City Council, in its Regular meeting on May 8, 2017, approved the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Signal Systems Improvements Project, marking a significant milestone in enhancing safety and traffic management along a crucial eight-mile stretch of PCH, spanning from John Tyler Dr to Topanga Cyn Blvd. The process of implementation began officially on Monday, December 4.
There have been calls to put a stop to speeding and traffic deaths on Pacific Coast Highway, like the deaths of the four Pepperdine students in October by local residents. In November, an additional five people were injured on PCH in two different accidents; one person was injured critically.
Mayor Steve Uhring said, as quoted by KTLA 5, “Since 2010, 58 individuals have died in accidents on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, and it is no surprise that improving safety on this iconic highway has been a top priority for our City. Once completed, [the project] will make PCH safer for our residents, for the 40,000 commuters who pass through Malibu every day, and for the 15 million visitors who visit Malibu every summer.”
The primary goal of this project is to achieve synchronization across all traffic signals within the specified PCH section. Key improvements include the installation of cutting-edge closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras at each intersection, the replacement of existing signal poles with modern counterparts, street enhancements, ADA upgrades, Advanced Traffic Control System (ATCS) sensors, and the incorporation of changeable message signs. The implementation of mid-block sensors will empower Caltrans to monitor real-time traffic flow and speed, allowing for remote adjustments to signal timing as needed.
By leveraging state-of-the-art technology and synchronizing traffic signals, the PCH Signal Systems Improvements Project is poised to transform PCH into a “Smart Corridor,” promoting safer and more efficient transportation.
Funded through Measure R Highway Operational improvements, this project aligns with the top priority outlined in the City’s PCH Safety Study. The comprehensive initiative encompasses new communication links, changeable message signs, closed-circuit television cameras, and traffic loops.
