Malibu PCH road surface warning

[KiddSisko]

Beginning at the Malibu border on PCH, they've begun a repaving operation on both sides of the street, from shoulder to shoulder. This past weekend I tried riding west from Topanga Canyon Blvd and had to turn around once I hit the ripped up roadway. It was impassable. Cars are fine, perhaps even a mtb, but a road bike will vibrate to pieces at any speed, if you can stay upright. My guess is they will soon have new pavement layed down on the section I saw, but because I didn't travel very far, I have no idea how far up the road it was ripped up, or how long it will take. If they're doing it in mile long sections, expect the next mile to be ripped up even if fresh pavement is laid down at the eastern most point.

[SouthBayChris]

Yeah, as I understand it they are resurfacing PCH from Cross Creek back east to the McClure tunnel, through 2009. Right now it's from about Las Flores to Cross Creek (I think). They have some info at pchpartners.org.

[Bud_E]

I made it through that area last Tuesday on my road bike with skinny tires ( 700x25 ) to Latigo Cyn. It did shake my internal organs but I managed to stay upright. Just pretend you're riding Paris-Roubaix :rolleyes: .

[KiddSisko]

When they're about ready to paint the new lines, how about a couple of us get some paint buckets and brushes and paint up some bike lanes? First come first serve being the motto. Oh wouldn't it be cool if they have plans to incorporate a bike lane for real!

Yeah, as I understand it they are resurfacing PCH from Cross Creek back east to the McClure tunnel, through 2009. Right now it's from about Las Flores to Cross Creek (I think). They have some info at pchpartners.org.

[KiddSisko]

My coccyx hurt just from reading that. I suppose if you insist on traveling through it's possible. I was horrified by the vibration and questionable steering. When I first hit it I thought, "Let's just go faster," but that felt terrible, so then I tried going slow and it was worse. The only thing better for me would have to been to walk my bike. Not what I had in mind.

I made it through that area last Tuesday on my road bike with skinny tires ( 700x25 ) to Latigo Cyn. It did shake my internal organs but I managed to stay upright. Just pretend you're riding Paris-Roubaix :rolleyes: .

[KiddSisko]

Curious if the new PCH paving will include a bike lane, I inquired at
pchpartners.org. Dave White wrote back:

Thank you for your inquiry. The project on PCH is to resurface the road.
There is no additional lanes of any type being added as part of this
project nor are there any plans in the foreseeable future to add capacity.

Of all the roadways along the ocean, of all coastal communities in CA, you'd think Santa Monica and Malibu would have the vision to create bike lanes.

[SouthBayChris]

Unbelievable. I know Velo La Grange was doing a lot to try to get lanes, guess the issue died. A friend of a friend got taken out last Saturday by a bus, just south of Topanga.

Bud, how long is the resurfaced area? I am planning a ride to Carpinteria from Torrance next month, that 30 mile diversion into the hills (planning Topanga/OldTopanga/Mulholland/Kanan) is going to make it a loooong day

Hmmmm Latigo is west of Cross Creek, sounds like Cross Creek isn't the western limit

[nesdog]

Bud, how long is the resurfaced area? I am planning a ride to Carpinteria from Torrance next month, that 30 mile diversion into the hills (planning Topanga/OldTopanga/Mulholland/Kanan) is going to make it a loooong day

Hmmmm Latigo is west of Cross Creek, sounds like Cross Creek isn't the western limit

If you end up bypassing PCH and following the above route, you might consider just taking Mulholland all the way back to PCH instead of using Kanan. You'll come out at Leo Carillo State Beach. And you get a nice long ride down!

Sheldon

[Bud_E]

Unbelievable. I know Velo La Grange was doing a lot to try to get lanes, guess the issue died. A friend of a friend got taken out last Saturday by a bus, just south of Topanga.

Bud, how long is the resurfaced area? I am planning a ride to Carpinteria from Torrance next month, that 30 mile diversion into the hills (planning Topanga/OldTopanga/Mulholland/Kanan) is going to make it a loooong day

Hmmmm Latigo is west of Cross Creek, sounds like Cross Creek isn't the western limit

Sorry to hear about your friend. I hope he/she's okay.

I can't remember exactly - I think it ended around Corral Cyn . It seems like it went on for about 2 or 3 miles but it's possible they've extended it by now. It's like they scrape the asphalt parallel to the way the road runs. I found that if I stayed on one of the resulting little "ridges", the vibration is a little less. If you go Mulholland Hwy you'll avoid it but at the cost of having some climbing to do. Good luck.

[KiddSisko]

I just drove south (east) of Topanga Canyon Blvd on PCH, heading toward Santa Monica, and the ripped up pavement is marching toward SM now. Those of you expecting to take a nice cruise up PCH over the coming weekend, be prepared for the worst.

[SouthBayChris]

So is the pavement ripped up between Temescal and Topanga now? SOunds like it is........

ETA - found this Caltrans site, looks like as of tomorrow the coblestones will start right at Temescal. That really screws up any ridng from the south.......
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/laneclosures/d7PClos.htm

[ronjon10]

So is the pavement ripped up between Temescal and Topanga now? SOunds like it is........

ETA - found this Caltrans site, looks like as of tomorrow the coblestones will start right at Temescal. That really screws up any ridng from the south.......
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/laneclosures/d7PClos.htm

It is between Temescal and Topanga.

They scraped the road at those 2 pinch points between Temescal and Topanga going north. It's not much, but it's better than it was. I suspect those spots will quickly get covered in dirt next time it rains or gets heavy winds. Still, at least they tried. I'm hoping they'll paint the lines a little differently to make those pinch points a little wider, but I doubt that'll happen.

[daoswald]

5/27/08. I biked from the Valley over Topanga Canyon to the PCH. I found that the road construction extended both north and south on the PCH as far as I could see from my vantage point in the parking lot on the corner of Topanga and PCH.

I tried riding on that stuff once with my hybrid. It was awful. I can't imagine trying it on my road bike.

By the way, does anyone know the elevation gain each way on Topanga from the valley to the PCH and back?

[ronjon10]

The chewed up pavement goes from Topanga to Sunset Blvd on both sides of the road. Not sure how far up it goes from Topanga towards Malibu.

Topanga from PCH to the highest point just before the descent into the valley is 1400-1500 feet over the ~8 miles. Not sure of the elevation from the Valley to the top part of PCH. Maybe 400-500 feet?

[SouthBayChris]

I have heard that as of either last night (6/3) or today, the only section left to be repaved is one mile from Sunset to Temescal (well, they are going to go further past Temescal, but since that's where I get on PCH, everyone else is on their own). Hopefully will be done by Saturday, that's the day of my (planned) LA to SB ride

[ronjon10]

I have heard that as of either last night (6/3) or today, the only section left to be repaved is one mile from Sunset to Temescal (well, they are going to go further past Temescal, but since that's where I get on PCH, everyone else is on their own). Hopefully will be done by Saturday, that's the day of my (planned) LA to SB ride

Right now, the chewed up road goes from Sunset to the Getty Villa area past Temescal. The new surface is fantastic for cycling, but careful if you're out there now, there are lots of small pebble size rubble left from the paving.

[bifo]

rojon10 is correct. there remains a .25+ mi stretch of the PCH north of Sunset that remains unpaved. this has not deterred a handful of cyclists that i saw out there the other day. give it another week for total completion and final cleanup.

there is a stretch near Carbon Cyn that has not been repaved and may be paved after local construction is completed.

i drive this route daily as my commute. it's smooooth.... ride it, love it.

[bifo]

Surface grinding has continued south of Sunset to Temescal.

Resurfacing has completed on the PCH north of Sunset.

[SouthBayChris]

Thanks for the update. We rode Saturday, looks like we hit a short window it was flat and smooth as glass

The continued updates are appreciated from those not in the area.

[Surferbruce]

The continued updates are appreciated

+1

[bifo]

surface grinding has now reached from sunset to chataqua

[Quinn8it]

As of 6-14 grinding reached south past Chataqua, I only went to Temescal so I dont have a real report....

[SouthBayChris]

Accdg to a commuter, grinding is from Sunset to the tunnel now, should be covering it up pretty soon now

[ronjon10]

Accdg to a commuter, grinding is from Sunset to the tunnel now, should be covering it up pretty soon now

Correct, as of today's drive in to work this morning, it's ground up from sunset to the California incline.

[daoswald]

The "chewed up" pavement is really a show-stopper for bikers. I don't know if any bike can handle it well, but on both my 700x23c tire bike, and my 700x25c tire bike, it's painful to ride over the chewed up areas. Every inch of travel feels like it may be the last for your forks, or any accessories that rattle off (such as your rear cogs? ;) haha

I'll be glad when it's done; I'd like to continue from Topanga to Santa Monica sometime.

[Speedee]

I rode over it last weekend. The key is to hit it hard and fast, and get it over with - like they do on the cobbles at Paris-Roubaix. The slower you go, the more bumpy it feels.

[ronjon10]

They've now got it chewed up from Sunset through the McClure tunnel. I think that's where the construction is going to end, so hopefully they'll be repaving this week...I hope. I even hate driving on that stuff.

[bifo]

they were pretty slow to pave from cross creek to sunset, and they havent even started laying asphalt yet south of sunset. i wouldnt expect them to complete it for another month.

[Speedee]

To head north to the canyons, just take the bike path to Temescal. Cross PCH and climb Temescal - L Sunset - R PCH.

[ronjon10]

I drove through about 9pm tonight. They had PCH down to 1 lane each way near sunset and had equipment out down there. Hopefully they'll be starting the paving tonight, but I hear ya, I'm not holding my breath in anticipation.

[SouthBayChris]

This is what phcpartners.org has on their website as of today

"PAVING ON PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY IN SANTA MONICA

Caltrans has informed PCH Partners that paving on PCH within Santa Monica will commence next week. The final phase, from Chautauqua to the McClure tunnel, will require the closure of lanes on PCH (from 9pm – 6am) with a lane in each direction until work reaches the tunnel. Work performed in the tunnel will require all lanes of PCH to be shut down for no more than 2 night shifts (9pm – 6am). During these work shifts traffic will be directed through the City via 4th Street and the Moomat Ahiko on- and off-ramps. Caltrans and Santa Monica staff will issue a press release and information will be provided on Know Before You Go, Santa Monica's street construction update web site, and pchpartners.org to keep the community informed of the work. Santa Monica Engineering staff is coordinating work with Santa Monica Police, Fire, and Transportation Management."

So... by next week?

[ronjon10]

It should be good for cycling tomorrow. They made it from Sunset almost to Temescal last night. If they get that much more done tonight, they'll be well past Temescal.

[SouthBayChris]

awesome news, thanks

[ronjon10]

I drove through this morning. They've got the paving done to Temescal so you can take the bike path to avoid the bad road.

Not sure if they're working tonight. I think they usually work Sunday night -> Thursday night so I don't expect further progress until next week.

[marc66thomas]

FYI...I rode PCH from Channel Rd this morning...they've finished paving to within about 100 meters (North) of Channel now.
-Stu

[wickedxawesome]

Drove through on my way to oxnard, it is paved all the way to the tunnel almost, so if you cut down off ocean down that on ramp. It is paved. Might go give that nice new surface a test tomorrow.

[ronjon10]

The paving is done through the tunnel now. Have fun out there.