Smart crosswalks will be installed at several locations in Malibu to help pedestrians juggle traffic on Pacific Coast Highway.
A Pacific Coast Highway Task Force was established by Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl to coordinate the many agencies responsible for PCH. The task force met on Sept. 21 to discuss matters that pertain to the busy highway.
The smart crosswalks will include lights that are embedded in the pavement, which are activated when a pedestrian enters the crosswalk. The flashing indicators will be a warning for oncoming traffic that a person is about to cross.
The smart crosswalks will be installed at La Costa, Pt. Dume, near Colony House Liquor and Temescal Canyon, said Chuck Bergson, Malibu Public Works director. They will be ready for use by next summer at no cost to the city, since funds will originate from the offices of Congressman Brad Sherman and Caltrans.
The City Council has asked a Caltrans representative to come to a council meeting in October to discuss the lights in more detail, said Bergson.
The task force also discussed the sewer repair project and its impact on traffic. The City of Santa Monica is considering installing two more traffic signals on PCH between the California Incline and the Santa Monica (10) Freeway, near beach parking lot entrances. But residents in the area may have objections because they are concerned about more traffic delays because of the new lights.
“There was a lot of discussion about the traffic plan,” said Bergson, who attended the meeting.
A California Highway Patrol study of PCH was also discussed and the task force went over traffic management methods.
The task force also talked about a geo-technical study that will take place at three locations in Malibu. One of the locations is in the Big Rock area where slides have occurred in the past.
“They will be looking at ground movement,” said Bergson.
The other two locations are Pena Creek and Las Flores.