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The Brief

The most important stories for you to know today
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  • Transportation and Mobility
    PCH Safety Funding
    PCH safety corridor awarded $2.5 million
    By  Gillian Morán Pérez
    Published December 19, 2023 12:47 PM

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    Eight people are gathered in front of a microphone standing on a mound of dirt. There are four men of light-skinned tone wearing blue suits, one of them is in the center is wearing a neon orange vest and a white construction hat. A man with dark-skin tone is standing to the right of the man in the neon orange vest, wearing a blue blazer and khaki pants. Two women are also in the group, one with light-skin tone with blonde hair wearing a black blazer and black pants and another with medium-light skin tone with short black hair wearing a black sweater and black pants. Behind the group of people is a yellow school bus.
    California State Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin (right) stands next to Lee Haber (left), Chief Safety Officer for Caltrans District 7. Omishakin announced Monday the state is making PCH its top safety priority.
    (
    Gillian Morán Pérez/LAist
    )

    Topline:

    California officials announced that the state has approved a $2.4-million contract with Caltrans for additional safety improvements along the 21-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway.

    Why it matters: The announcement comes two months after four Pepperdine students were struck and killed while standing on the side of PCH.

    Read more...for information on what the safety plan includes.

    California transportation officials have announced that $4.2 million will be spent on safety improvements along the 21-mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu months after four Pepperdine students were struck and killed while on the side of the busy roadway.

    California State Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin on Monday said the state is going to "double down" and make PCH the top safety project.

    Here's a breakdown of what the Caltrans contract will fund:

    • Optical speed bars
    • 13 safety feedback signs (signs that alert drivers when they are driving over the speed limit)
    • Enhanced striping on curves to warn drivers of upcoming curves, especially along the so-called "Dead Man's Curve" between Carbon Canyon Road and Rambla Vista where the four Pepperdine students died
    • Painting the speed limit on the roadways
    • Refresh signs that designate the PCH safety corridor

    More information on the safety upgrades will be published on the new PCH safety website, which will keep the community updated.

    In addition to safety upgrades, three additional California Highway Patrol officers will be deployed on the roadway to enforce the speed limit starting Jan. 1.

    Omishakin said the state is also looking to increase traffic fines for speeding drivers.

    Go deeper: Traffic Signals On Pacific Coast Highway To Be Installed To Slow Traffic
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