Tag: Traffic

MALIBU—The city of Malibu completed its Pacific Coast Highway Signal Synchronization Project. It is the city’s most significant project in its history to improve traffic flow, congestion and safety on PCH.

By synchronizing 12 traffic signals between Topanga Canyon Boulevard and John Tyler Drive, Caltrans can now adjust signal timing in real time, reducing speeding, traffic flow, and making the roadway safer for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians along PCH.

There will be a ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, February 4 at 10 a.m. at PCH and Webb Way (Triangle Lot).

Mid-block sensors will enable Caltrans to monitor traffic flow and speed, then remotely adjust signal timing in the moment.

The use of state-of-the art technology and synchronization of the traffic signals will make PCH a “Smart Corridor.”

Approved by the City Council at its Regular meeting on May 8, 2017, the PCH Signal Systems Improvements Project is a major step toward achieving the top priority of the City’s PCH Safety Study.

The Signal Systems Improvements Project will consist of new communication links, changeable message signs, closed-circuit television cameras, traffic loops.

Parking available at 23835 Civic Center Way, just north of Webb Way
For more information about the project, visit MalibuCity.org/780/PCH-Signal-Synchronization.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Monday, September 8, the city of West Hollywood announced that they are inviting community members to attend and provide public comment at an upcoming meeting of West Hollywood’s Transportation and Mobility Commission, which will include Commission review of the recent N. San Vicente Traffic Study.

A summary of the traffic study of N. San Vicente Boulevard between Melrose Avenue and Beverly Boulevard will be presented.

The study will examine physical parameters, accident history, and traffic counts. Staff will present potential considerations for changes to the intersections of Rangely, Dorrington, and Ashcroft Avenue that would involve deploying vehicular turning restrictions and/or signalization.

West Hollywood’s Transportation and Mobility Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the West Hollywood City Hall First Floor Community Meeting Room, located at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard. Validated parking will be available at the City Hall Automated Parking Garage, located behind City Hall, accessible from N. Sweetzer Avenue.

Community members who want to provide public comment should attend. The meeting agenda will be posted in advance of the meeting on the week of September 15 at www.weho.org/agendas (follow links to the Transportation and Mobility Commission). Individuals can e-mail public comments on matters before the Transportation and Mobility Commission may be sent to TMCPublicComments@weho.org no later than 12 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17.

For details about the N. San Vicente Traffic Study, contact John Gilmour, West Hollywood’s City Engineer, at (323) 848-6383 or at jgilmour@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU/TOPANGA CANYON—The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lost Hills Station revealed on Thursday, May 22, that Pacific Coast Highway is expected to reopen without restrictions on Friday, May 23 at 8 a.m.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is reinforcing its commitment to public safety in the fire-affected areas of the city of Malibu, unincorporated Malibu, and the Topanga community.

Authorities will be implementing strict traffic enforcement, conducting high visibility patrols, undercover operations, and bolstering looter suppression efforts to protect residents. The LASD comprehensive crime strategy will focus on a zero-tolerance approach to criminal activity and traffic violations and will be coordinated with the California Highway Patrol and other public safety agencies.

“Our highest priority is the safety of this community,” said Acting Captain Dustin Carr. “We are proud to reach this milestone in the Palisades Fire recovery and will continue supporting it with increased traffic enforcement, proactive looter suppression, and a close partnership with the community. There will be zero tolerance for looting and reckless driving. Please help us keep the city of Malibu, unincorporated Malibu, and our Topanga community safe as we rebuild together.”

The Malibu Lost Hills Station is asking all residents and visitors to comply with traffic regulations and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement.

The community can stay updated through the Malibu/Lost Hills Station social media accounts on X, Nixle, and Facebook. Refer to the Caltrans website https://dot.ca.gov/ for the latest on road conditions and closures.

The Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station noted that homeowners should visit the station and complete a Letter of Agency for their homes or businesses impacted the Palisades Fire and recent fires, especially if they are unoccupied.

A Letter of Agency, also known as a Trespass Arrest Authorization, is a formal document that grants law enforcement the authority to enforce trespassing laws on one’s property in their absence. It allows officers to take action against unauthorized individuals without contacting the homeowner first.

This authorization is useful for vacant properties, vacant lots, businesses, or any properties experiencing public nuisance activities or general trespassing. The completion of the Letter of Agency helps protect one’s property as Malibu transitions back to normal operations.

Remember to:

-Secure Your Property: Ensure gates, doors, and windows are locked.
-Report Suspicious Activity: Immediately contact local law enforcement if you observe unauthorized individuals on your property.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On Monday, February 24, the city of Beverly Hills announced on its Facebook page that the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) is making a final water main connection near LA Country Club.

Motorists should anticipate upcoming lane impacts on Wilshire Boulevard & North Santa Monica Boulevard starting February 26 until March 25.

Wilshire Blvd:

-Reduced to two thru lanes with signalized left turns (both directions) on March 4 from 7AM – 3/12 @ 7AM (24/7)

North Santa Monica Blvd:

Eastbound reduced to one lane, westbound unaffected

-February 26 from 7 a.m. to March 5 at 7 a.m. (intermittent)

-March 5 from 8 thru March 12 from 7 a.m. to 6 a.m. (24/7)

-March 12 thru Mach 25 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Whittier Drive remains open. Water will not be shut down or impacted in any way. For more details or concerns contact the Construction Hotline at (424) 252-1338.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On Sunday, February 2, the city of Malibu announced that Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu and unincorporated portions of the County is now open for regular traffic, as of 8 a.m. PCH is open one lane in each direction.

Motorists should be prepared for extreme traffic delays and intermittent closures in the area as ongoing recovery efforts continue. Expect checkpoints on PCH in Los Angeles on February 2, as this area is still restricted to Pacific Palisades residents only.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, and Caltrans HQ are implementing the following measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our community:

-Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station will maintain increased patrols in the burn areas.

-Caltrans will be onsite to assist with traffic flow and minimize disruptions.

-Caltrans and Los Angeles County Public Works will monitor PCH for any roadway hazards.

-The City’s parking services team will maintain a frequent presence in neighborhoods to support law enforcement in monitoring for public safety.

Safety is the top priority, and the city is committed to working together to keep our community secure as we navigate these recovery efforts.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced in a news release on Tuesday, January 30 that as a result of community concerns, the City of Malibu Public Works Department has announced adjustments to the ongoing Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Traffic Signal Synchronization project. The new plan is expected to enhance traffic flow while balancing project timelines.

As reported on the city’s website, the revised measures will offer two lanes of traffic in each direction by shifting one travel lane into the center median. The adjustment is aimed to address congestion issues, while maintaining production and safety levels for the construction workers and drivers. The new plan is expected to be implemented as soon as possible, pending approval by Caltrans. Malibu recognizes the impact of construction activities on daily commutes and is committed to limiting disruptions wherever possible.

Members of the community have inquired about work being performed at night. The option was considered by the Public Works Department, but they found that working at night would slow down the project timeline and increase project costs by $1 million due to required safety mitigation measures. The decision to proceed with daytime construction is to ensure a balance between project efficiency and community concerns.

Motorists can expect delays weekdays from 6 a.m. thru 3 p.m. The project is on track for completion as planned by the end of 2024.

The project will install communication lines between traffic signals on PCH from Topanga Canyon Boulevard to John Tyler Drive, synchronizing the signals to existing traffic conditions.

This will allow the signals to be controlled remotely by the Caltrans Traffic Management Center to lower traffic speeds and reduce congestion. For more details on the project visit: www.MalibuCity.org/PCHSignalSynch.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On November 29, the city of Malibu indicated in a news release that work will start on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) starting between Topanga Canyon and Big Rock Drive in Malibu the week of December 4 on Malibu’s Traffic Signal Synchronization Project, which is a significant measure to date to improve safety and mobility on PCH.

“Since 2010, 58 individuals have died in accidents on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, and it is no surprise that improving safety on this iconic highway has been a top priority for our City,” said Mayor Steve Uhring. “Our signal synchronization project is a major step toward our goal of a safer PCH. Once completed it will make PCH safer for our residents, for the 40,000 commuters who pass through Malibu every day and for the 15 million visitors who visit Malibu every summer.”

The goal of the project is to make PCH a safer “Smart Corridor” by installing communication lines between the existing traffic signals on PCH from Topanga Canyon Boulevard to John Tyler Drive to synchronize the signals to existing traffic conditions. It will allow signals to be controlled remotely by the Caltrans Traffic Management Center to lower traffic speeds and decrease congestion.

New equipment will capture real-time traffic data and send it to the traffic signal controllers who will be using state-of-the art software to adjust the traffic signal timing to actual traffic volume. Vehicles going the speed over the speed limit will run into red lights, while those going the speed limit will encounter green lights. The project has new closed circuit TV cameras at each intersection; replace existing signal poles, street improvements and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility upgrades, Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) sensors, and changeable message signs.

The project was approved by the Malibu City Council in 2017 and is a step toward achieving the top priority of Malibu’s PCH Safety Study.

According to CalTrans, PCH at Malibu Canyon Road sees roughly 4,600 cars per hour, or approximately 40,500 vehicles per day during peak hours during the summer months. About 1,215,000 vehicles pass through Malibu on PCH every month during the summer.
In the past 10 years, Malibu had more than 4,000 traffic collisions, 1,600 of which involved injuries and more than 100,000 traffic citations have been issued.

On October 17, 2023, four students from Pepperdine were killed by a speeding motorist while walking along PCH. Excessive speed is a commonly cited violation every year.

Speeding and improper turns are the most common contributing factor to collisions, both ofwhich will be directly addressed by the Traffic Signal Synchronization Project. The system will be used to enhance emergency evacuations and keep traffic moving rapidly and safely.
The $34.6 million project is fully funded through Measure R funds administered by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and is expected to take about one year to complete.

Work hours will transpire Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. with alternating lane closures in both directions, mostly on the right-hand lanes. Summer work hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day) will be Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., with some nighttime work.

Residents can expect noise, lights, vibrations, and dust while work is being complete. Individuals are sked to look for workers and work vehicles in and around the roadway and altered traffic patterns. Under California law, traffic citations are doubled in construction zones. For more details visit www.MalibuCity.org/PCHSignalSynch.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Police Department announced on November 8 that they were awarded an $80,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The grant will support ongoing enforcement and education programs to help decrease the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads.

“This funding will strengthen our commitment to public safety in our community,” said Police Chief Mark G. Stainbrook. “We will be able to increase our efforts in making our roads safer for everyone and focus on critical areas such as distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding.”

The grant will provide additional programs and resources, including:

-DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.

-High visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.

-Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

-Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign, and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes.

-Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

The grant program will run through September 2024. Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

By Trevor