Caltrans to begin two-year PCH rebuild Oct. 27 Play

With the pavement crumbling, and six years overdue, Caltrans announced this weekend that the two-year reconstruction of Pacific Coast Highway from the Malibu Lagoon to the Ventura County line will start in 16 days, on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Motorists can expect work to be performed between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, according to Friday's news release. The construction project will take more than two years: the estimated finish will be in winter 2029-30, Caltrans said.

It will be the first modernization of most of the highway's layout since it was widened to four lanes in 1947. A similar, separate repaving project is planned for eastern Malibu all the way to Santa Monica starting after the New Year.

When finished, the road will include bike lanes and narrower vehicle lanes, part of the Caltrans Complete Streets program, aimed at increasing safety and mobility features for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists to share the road.

At least one lane will always be open in both directions while work is being conducted. Motorists should expect delays, and the state strongly advises motorists to use alternate routes.

The project includes removing and replacing areas of pavement where it is crumbling, and grinding and repaving the entire width of roadway. The road was repaved roughly every 10 years until 2010, and it has been 16 years since the pavement was repaved along most of the highway.

The state warns that it will be loud: residents and businesses located near the construction segments may experience noise, vibrations and grinding associated with construction activities.

At signals, curb ramps will be installed to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. There will be signage and road technology upgrades, roadway lighting and signal improvements, new striping and other changes.

The schedule is weather permitting, and all dates and times are subject to change.