Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
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.
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.
Sponsored message
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.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
