Caltrans Sets $154 Million PCH Repaving Project Play

Caltrans officials say they are finishing final plans for a major repaving project on PCH from Santa Monica through Malibu to the Ventura County line. And they have released the price tag.

The entire roadway will be repaved, and in some cases realigned slightly. Pavement grinding. Asphalt laying. Some new sidewalks, upgraded pedestrian crossings and improved lighting. Detours and overnight work.

Total cost: $154 million.

This is the project that will add striped bike lanes to most of the highway.

Construction for the western segment, between Cross Creek Road and Leo Carrillo Beach, is going to start this fall. By Christmas, the eastern segment from Cross Creek to the Santa Monica Tunnel will be under construction. Anticipated completion is at the end of 2030.

The total programmed project cost for both projects is about $154 million — $69 million for the western segment and $85 million for the eastern section.

That does not include landslide and ocean erosion projects now underway in the fire area. And it also does not include the many changes proposed in the Caltrans Master Plan, the overall PCH improvement project list that is still under review at Caltrans. That is the one with proposals for major changes to the roadway layout, still not approved by the city council.

The $154 million is for pavement rehabilitation — projects that are designed to enhance the service life of the highway and maintain the current infrastructure.

This will be the first major repaving of PCH since 2010.