Why did a proposal to charge drivers on a troubled Rancho Palos Verdes highway stall?

A proposal by the city of Rancho Palos Verdes to charge drivers along one of the main roads through the landslide complex has stalled — at least for now.

The toll road was introduced as a potential way to generate revenue to help pay for ongoing road repairs on the troubled Palos Verdes Drive South. The 27.5-mile stretch is a key artery for residents and is the only way into and out of the landslide complex.

On Tuesday, the councilmembers voted to table the proposal and send it to a committee for further consideration, among other possible solutions.

The vote came months after the City Council directed staff to look into converting part of Palos Verdes Drive South into a toll road in an effort to ease road-repair costs from the ongoing landslide. According to RPV Mayor David Bradley, the city has spent about $50 million in the past two years on stabilization efforts to keep the major thoroughfare open and passable for the public.

“I can't get behind actually extending [$25,000], $50,000 on bringing in an outside consultant right now, when we have other priorities and other things stacked up in front of it,” Bradley said.

What does the process look like?

On Tuesday, city staff reported at the council meeting that the process would require approval from federal, state and regional agencies.

The city would need CalTrans, or another regional agency, to apply for establishing a toll facility on a public roadway with the California Transportation Commission.

The roadway also is part of the national highway system, so approval from the Federal Highway Administration also may be required.

“PV Drive South is within the coastal zone, and therefore, the California Coastal Commission will also have authority,” Deanna Fraley, principal engineer at the city’s public works department, said. “Although it may not be the same circumstances, it should be noted that the Coastal Commission has never approved a toll facility under their authority.”

Costs of a toll road

A feasibility study also would be needed to better understand the economic impacts of the road, which could cost the city between $25,000 and $50,000.

“The study will also include an estimate of the cost to operate the toll system and an estimate of any net revenue,” Fraley said.

The city also would need to order a future, more detailed study — estimated to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars — to apply to the state’s transportation commission, Fraley added.

There could be unintended consequences of creating a toll road, like diverting some drivers to other roadways, potentially causing more congested areas.

“There could also be some economic impacts as people avoid the toll road, which would reduce traffic to the common destinations in the area, like Terranea, Trump National Golf Club and the Golden Cove Center,” Fraley said.

How are officials reacting?

Councilmember George Lewis said the preliminary process could take years and still not break even after early costs.

“I think looking at all these things holistically and deciding our best efforts would be a worthy exercise before we commit five-digit figures to consultants,” Lewis said.

The idea doesn’t make a lot of sense, Councilmember Barbara Ferraro said.

“If we could ever get approval … it will be so far down the future. The money that we've spent would take years to make up,” Ferraro said. “It doesn't make sense to spend the money that it would take to see if it's possible when I can just pretty much decide it right now, that the likelihood of it even being possible is pretty slim.”

The idea will be sent to the city’s sustainability committee for further consideration, along with other methods of remediating the road.