PCH Reopens for Public Traffic Fri, May 23. Visitors Urged to Help Keep Malibu Safe & Clean

Memorial Day kicks off Malibu's busy summer beach season, and with the reopening of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) on Friday, May 23, the City of Malibu prepares to welcome visitors to enjoy its world-famous beaches and mountains safely and responsibly. PCH will open to public traffic, no passes needed, at 8:00 AM on Friday, on time for the holiday weekend.

Mayor Marianne Riggins commented: "The reopening of Pacific Coast Highway marks an important step in Malibu's ongoing recovery from the recent wildfires. While significant challenges remain, this development helps restore limited access for residents and travelers along the coast. We recognize the coordinated efforts by Governor Newsom's office, Caltrans, the LA County Sheriff's Department, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Guard in addressing fire debris removal. Their involvement has contributed to making this reopening possible, though much work lies ahead. The City remains focused on ensuring public safety as we enter the summer season, and we continue to monitor conditions closely."

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Up to two lanes will be open in each direction with a 25 MPH speed limit.
• Traffic signals will set for flashing red (approach as an all-way stop) at Topanga Cyn Blvd, Big Rock Dr, La Costa Beach Club, and Carbon Canyon Rd. All other traffic signals on PCH in Malibu will be in normal mode. Traffic signal modes may be changed temporarily, based on existing needs.
• On southbound PCH, the right lane is subject to closure between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM daily for debris removal and repair work.
• Stopping in the burn areas is prohibited.
• The area remains an active work zone, so watch for workers and work vehicles. Traffic fines may be doubled in construction zones.
• Visitors should expect delays and consider taking Malibu Canyon Rd and Kanan Dume Rd to access Malibu beaches, hiking trails, shopping and dining to avoid congestion.

SECURITY

The City Council approved hiring a private security company on May 21 to provide armed security patrols to protect impacted properties in Malibu starting Memorial Day weekend, coinciding with the planned ending of the California National Guard deployment to Malibu.

The City urges visitors to be considerate of community members recovering from the recent wildfires, not interfere with cleanup or recovery work, not enter private property, and refrain from taking photos of burn sites.

SHERIFF'S SUMMER BEACH ENFORCEMENT TEAM

The City and LASD will continue its partnership to bring the Summer Beach Enforcement Team to Malibu from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. LASD selects an extremely motivated team of sworn and non-sworn personnel to provide a strong, visible, proactive police presence to ensure a safe and wholesome beach environment for both residents and visitors. The team has a special focus on enforcing alcohol consumption, which is prohibited on beaches in LA County. Regulating alcohol use on Malibu's beaches helps prevent drunk driving and traffic collisions on PCH and canyon roads.

SUMMER DAY-USE IMPOUND YARD

On Saturday, May 24, the City will begin operating its annual day-use impound yard at Malibu High School on weekends and holidays through Monday, September 1. The impound yard serves as temporary storage of vehicles that are towed for illegal parking or public safety concerns in Malibu. This allows towing companies to tow more illegally parked vehicles, enhancing beach access, resident and visitor parking, and roadway access and safety.

PLEASE ENJOY MALIBU'S BEACHES & TRAILS SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY

Malibu Surfrider, Westward Beach, and Zuma Beach are public beaches with available parking lots, bathrooms, and staffed lifeguard towers. El Matador, La Piedra and El Pescador are smaller beaches with bathrooms and parking lots.

Visitors are encouraged to follow these tips to help keep PCH, beaches, and trails clean and protect the quality of life of our community:

• Don't drink and drive, or text and drive.
• Whenever possible, park on the ocean side to avoid crossing PCH on foot.
• Stay on the path and off of private property (public beach generally begins at the mean high tide line, or wet sand).
• Dogs, alcohol and fires are prohibited on beaches.
• Do not leave trash or human waste on the beach.
• Be respectful of residents - keep noise to a minimum.
• Beachgoers are responsible for their own safety on beaches where no Lifeguards are on duty.

For more information, visit www.MalibuCity.org.