Plans call for installing a crosswalk and flashing lights on Pacific Coast Highway between County Line Beach and the popular Neptune’s Net in southeastern Ventura County.
The coastal route has no marked crosswalks in the spot where people often cross the highway to get to the beach, parking or the restaurant, just south of Yerba Buena Road. Each day, around 10,000 vehicles use the stretch of PCH that has a speed limit of 55 mph, officials said.
The California Department of Transportation announced March 23 that work had started. Construction on the $1.5 million project is expected to wrap up in June.
The long-planned upgrades were prompted by a traffic investigation report back in 2017, officials said. The review recommended a marked crosswalk with a pedestrian signal.
Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell called the spot one of the most visited and iconic stretches of the local coastline. Providing a safer crossing will help protect residents, beachgoers and visitors, he said.
What roadwork will happen on PCH?
Caltrans reported POLO Engineering, Inc., of Castaic, received the contract for the work. Crews are expected to add pavement markings, replace sign posts and install foundations, signals and light poles.
The lights, called pedestrian hybrid beacons, generally are designed for higher-speed roads or mid-block crossings. A pedestrian pushes a button to activate the lights, which first turn yellow and then red to direct drivers to slow down and stop.
Flashing lights will be placed 800 feet north and south of the crosswalk, officials said.
At least one lane of PCH is expected to remain open during construction, from just south of Tonga Street to a half-mile north of Yerba Buena Road. Any closures will be announced in advance, according to Caltrans.
Work hours are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday, and midnight to 8 a.m. on Saturday. Caltrans advised drivers to expect delays and to consider alternate routes during those hours.
Why will Caltrans add a crosswalk on PCH?
Gorell listed several reasons that prompted him to advocate for the project, including the recent deaths on PCH in Malibu as well as traffic and safety data. But he also described a close call of his own back in 2023.
Gorell was driving near Neptune’s Net when a woman stepped into the road in front of him. Her head was turned watching traffic in the opposite direction, and he thought he had too little time to stop.
With seconds to spare, the woman heard him honking, saw his car and stepped back from the road, Gorell said.
“I’m glad to see we’re finally moving forward on this,” he said.
Dan Walden, manager at Neptune’s Net, said he understands the reasons to add the crosswalk and it is expected to be a positive for the restaurant. But he also had concerns that people could get a false sense of security.
Even with the crosswalk and flashing lights, pedestrians will still need to be cautious when they cross at the spot, Walden said.
Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Busy PCH spot near Neptune’s Net to get a crosswalk. Here’s why
Reporting by Cheri Carlson, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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