PCH, Partially Collapsed, Will Be Closed Nightly As Crews Repair Road

VENTURA COUNTY, CA — A six-mile section of Pacific Coast Highway will be completely shut down nightly until further notice due to erosion caused by recent storms, according to Caltrans.

All lanes of PCH in both directions will be closed at 6 p.m. each night from Sycamore Canyon Road to Las Posas Road in Ventura County. The closed portion, which passes by Point Mugu Beach and Thornhill Broome Beach, will reopen at 7 a.m. or later each morning, Caltrans said.

The reopening times will vary based on conditions that impact motorists' safety. A state inspector must assess the damage each morning to determine when it's safe to reopen the road, which is heavily traveled by commuters and truckers between Los Angeles and Ventura counties, officials said.

The nighttime closure is being done as a safety precaution because conditions can change overnight when there is reduced visibility, officials said.

The closure was extended by Caltrans due to further erosion of the southbound shoulder of PCH from postmiles 4.8 to 5.2. Additionally, officials are concerned about additional damage that could be caused by a storm forecast to arrive this weekend, officials said.

Caltrans plans to install K-rails to block of the right southbound lane next to the storm-damaged shoulder this week and begin stabilizing the collapsed slope that continues to be hit by waves during high tides, Caltrans said.

Crews will shift lanes to the mountain side to provide two lanes in both directions before working on shoulder restoration. The posted speed limit, 55 mph, may be reduced, Caltrans said.

Caltrans has not provided a timeline for when the repairs will be completed.

The PCH closure comes after a portion of the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, which runs parallel to PCH, collapsed in the recent storm.

Real-time information is available on Caltrans' QuickMap.