Caltrans to Begin Slope Stabilization Project Along PCH in January

Caltrans plans to begin work in January on a nearly two-year long slope stabilization project along a mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

The project will start up after the Southern California Gas Co. finishes up a gas main relocation project, which began Monday and will continue through the end of December.

The gas main needs to be relocated so that Caltrans can begin stabilizing the slopes along a mile stretch of Pacific Coast Highway from Via Escondido to Latigo Canyon Road. The area was damaged in a 2005 rainstorm, he said.

"We have to make some significant improvements," said Patrick Chandler, spokesman for Caltrans District 7.

The project will include the use of steel beams to protect the roadway, Chandler said.