$69 million PCH reconstruction begins Oct. 27 at Pepperdine Play

Construction zone signs went up on Pacific Coast Highway over the weekend, as western Malibu is about to see a major construction project in the midst of traffic.

Construction on a $69 million reconstruction of Pacific Coast Highway will start Oct. 27, and work will happen during daytime hours.

It appears that Caltrans is going to start the work at Pepperdine University. That's where the state plans to install a sidewalk on a sliver of state highway right of way that the school had claimed as its own for its park.

Pepperdine strongly objected to a sidewalk along PCH, even though people regularly walk there, to park to observe the 9/11 flags or other events.

At Pepperdine, signs warning of the closed shoulder have been put up, covered up with black plastic until the actual construction begins Oct. 27.

Pavement grinding and other heavy work will be performed Mondays through Fridays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

During that work, speed limits will be reduced in the construction zone. At least one lane will always be open in each direction while the work is being conducted.

While the pavement is being ground down and replaced, center medians and traffic lanes will be narrowed and bike lanes will be added. PCH from Malibu Creek out to Carbon Beach will get this work now.

A similar project starts in the eastern half of Malibu in about six months. The western Malibu project is scheduled to take two years.