As summer continues in Malibu, construction projects around town are adding another element to the already busy visitor traffic. Southern California Edison (SCE) and California Department of Transit (Caltrans) have various projects planned, designed to better serve the Malibu community in various ways, including the widening of roads, the addition of sidewalks and bike paths, taking safety precautions, and making technological improvements.
Las Virgenes
A project to widen Las Virgenes Road began July 17 and will continue through the next 12 months, according to an advisory message released by the City of Malibu.
Construction will take place near the 101 Freeway, between Lost Hills and Agoura roads, and will require intermittent lane closures. Officials anticipate delays for commuters traveling along Malibu Canyon Road throughout the construction period.
The project will add an extensive list of new features to the area to improve the road for motorists and the surrounding areas for cyclists and pedestrians.
“The project includes road widening to two travel lanes in each direction, two new traffic signals, a new sidewalk, landscaping and tree maintenance, new crosswalks, and the relocation of power poles,” reported the City of Malibu.
The project will include bike lanes along the eastern side of the road, according to the project description released by the City of Calabasas.
For project updates and lane closures, see cityofcalabasas.com.
Topanga Canyon
A 12- to 18-month construction project on Topanga Canyon Boulevard began July 20, according to an alert issued by the City of Malibu.
The project will include work on underground utility wires, and motorists can expect intermittent delays throughout the construction period.
Construction will take place Mondays through Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with no work on weekends, holidays or Red Flag days.
The project is anticipated to be completed in December 2016.
Power outages may occur as a result of the construction. Prior notice will be provided to those to be affected by the expected outages.
For more information on the project, visit onetopanga.com.
PCH night closures
SCE will be doing nightly construction involving lane closures on PCH from the Malibu Pier to Malibu Canyon, according to a traffic advisory released by the City of Malibu.
The project will close the outside lane Sunday through Thursday nights, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., and will occasionally close the inside lane.
SCE is upgrading and enhancing the technology and equipment throughout the Malibu area.
“[SCE is] installing a new circuit, named Seaboard, to provide additional capacity and flexibility to service central Malibu as part of our upgrade of the system” reported Diane Forte, regional manager at SCE.
Originally, the project was projected to last from July to September 2015, but latest reports expect the project to be completed by early August.
The project is included as part of a multiyear plan to maintain safety and ensure reliable service in the area.
“Starting in 2014, Southern California Edison began a multi-year program to ensure that poles aren’t carrying too much weight and can withstand heavy winds,” SCE said in a report released regarding the inspection and upgrade of utility poles.
Delays will be limited, as traffic control will be implemented throughout the hours of closure, but residents should anticipate delays and slow down within construction zones.
In addition to lane closures along PCH, the project will work on several Malibu streets including Webb Way, Civic Center Way and Cross Creek Road, which will involve some lane closures during similar night hours.
This extended work on city streets is projected to be fully completed by the end of September.
Big Rock K-rail
Caltrans wrapped up a project on Tuesday, July 28, that closed westbound lanes of PCH near Big Rock Drive to perform precautionary measures, according to an advisory released by the City of Malibu.
The project, which was designed to protect the highway from falling rocks, involved lane closures on July 23-24 and July 27-28, causing delays for motorists as traffic was diverted to the center median lane.
Patrick Chandler, Caltrans spokesperson, explained that the closures allowed Caltrans workers to perform preventative measures along the highway.
“We did put in the concrete barriers, or K-rails [along PCH], and we had a contractor put fences on top of that,” Chandler told The Malibu Times.
These measures, however, were primarily focused on maintaining the highway’s integrity and preventing future damage.
“It’s more of a maintenance, or preventative maintenance to prevent the rocks form coming down into the highway,” Chandler explained.
The project intends to maintain safety along PCH and avoid rocks falling onto the highway, as had occurred on July 20, closing westbound lanes west of Topanga Canyon Boulevard for almost 24 hours.
Caltrans installed similar netting beginning last December near Point Mugu to prevent rockslides as a result of the Springs Fire.