More Delays On PCH As Construction Is Rushed
Written by 991KBU on April 3, 2018
Caltrans officials say they are working on the signal timing at the three traffic lights in central Malibu … where even during this spring break week … unusual traffic jams are occurring.
Signals at Cross Creek Road … Webb Way … and Malibu Canyon Road have been put on timers and disconnected from roadway sensors as part of a construction project.
This means very long red light intervals for Pacific Coast Highway … and also for southbound Malibu Canyon Road.
Caltrans spokesman Timothy Weisberg tells KBUU News that the state is investigating how to solve this problem.
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“When the sensors are offline, the signals do revert to the the recall timing.
“Where … it is something that is manually programming, but not it’s not necessarily that can be adjusted in real time, with demand.”
As last resort … if major backups develop … the Caltrans official says that agency and the city will rely on flaggers and sheriffs deputies to wave cars through red lights.
As for the timing of this project … Malibu sat through giant traffic jams over Spring Break week … Weisberg says Caltrans was not aware that heavy traffic could be expected.
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“Spring Break is one of those things that gets overlooked on that radar, that’s why we try to notify the city and work with them in advance of any lane closures.
“Spring break beach traffic is not something that was brought to our attention.”
To be frank … the city is not in charge of this project … and is not in charge of it.
Who is in charge?
The civic center developers … who are paying for the project … hired the contractors … and apparently set the schedule.
The road widening project is being rushed to completion before Memorial Day …
Caltrans and the city have an agreement not to allow construction projects between Memorial Day and Labor Day …
to avoid summer time traffic jams.
None of this went before the city council or planning commission … for review.
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Meanwhile … City manager Reva Feldman tells KBIU news that the traffic light installation project Down at the Malibu Beach Inn Will see future construction at night.
That project is being funded and managed by the Malibu Beach Inn under an encroachment permit approved by Caltrans.
It caused 45 minute delays at times over the past two weeks … during certain days.
Feldman says Malibu Beach Inn’s owners are most anxious to end the delays … and pay their contractors to work at night.
And agreement on that is pending.
