Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
New Safety Upgrades Planned For PCH After Four College Student Deaths
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
)
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.
Support for LAist comes from
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
Corrected May 8, 2024 at 1:02 PM PDT
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the amount of funding from Caltrans. LAist regrets the error.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades. -
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend. -
The bill would increase penalties for metal recyclers who possess or purchase metal used in public infrastructure. -
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter.
Best of LAist