Malibu, CA Department Of Transit Discuss Rock Retaining Wall

MALIBU, CA — Malibu and the California Department of Transportation updated residents on their ongoing construction of a big rock retaining wall on State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway), according to Caltrans.

The meeting took place virtually at 6 p.m. Thursday. The $12.4 million project will restore a 180-foot area of PCH that was damaged during 2015 and 2016, thus making PCH dangerous just south of Big Rock Drive, according to Caltrans.

Caltrans initially put up a temporary wall to separate the roadway from the damaged slope, which leads to the ocean. The permanent solution will be a sturdier wall, widened shoulder on PCH and concrete barrier to protect the roadway from waves, the city said.

Construction will begin in September 2022 and last through July 2023, though Caltrans already began bringing utilities to the area.

During construction, PCH around Big Rock Drive will have a reduced median, no shoulder on either side and the lane sizes will be reduced.