The portion of Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura County that’s been closed since mid-December is set to reopen on Friday, according to sources at Caltrans.
The highway, which was originally closed due to mudslides after a Dec. 12 storm, sustained further damage in January, after which time it was decided the 9-mile stretch of roadway between Las Posas and Yerba Buena roads would be closed off through late February. In late January, a portion of the roadway reopened, giving access to Pt. Mugu State Park.
In the time since the roadway first closed, businesses around Malibu have felt the strain of decreased visitor traffic, leaving some struggling to make ends meet.
Friday, Feb. 27, marks 77 days since the highway was closed around Pt. Mugu, and comes in right at the mark estimated by Caltrans when they made their final announcement regarding the ongoing closure.
This work began in early January. In late January, a portion of the roadway reopened, granting access to Pt. Mugu State Park but resulting in no real change for commuters in and out of Malibu on the west side.
In the time since the roadway first closed, businesses around Malibu have felt the strain of decreased visitor traffic, leaving some struggling to make ends meet.
A report by The Malibu Times in early February states that Kristy’s Wood Oven & Wine Bar, located west of Kanan Dume Rd., especially felt the lack of visitor traffic.
Greg Bashant, the owner of Kristy’s, said that despite a yearly 10 to 15 percent annual increase since opening in 2011, by the seventh week since the road closure began, the restaurant had experienced a 40 to 50 percent decrease in revenues.
Friday, Feb. 27, marks 77 days since the highway was closed around Pt. Mugu, and comes in right at the mark estimated by Caltrans when they made their final announcement regarding the ongoing closure.
According to Chandler, now all that’s left is repaving the road, seeding a slope and moving some utility wires.
“The utility companies—and some point I’m not sure if it’s this week or a later date—will possibly move the utility lines back to the other side,” Chandler said, describing a reversal of work utilities companies performed in January to clear room for the roadwork. However, he added, the utilities work will not impact the reopening of the roadway. “That’s not going to require they keep the highway closed for that,” Chandler said.