Waves ripped out the ground under the Pacific Coast Highway, and crews are racing to armor the road before winter hits.
Story Snapshot
- Caltrans is stacking large rocks to shield Highway 1 at Thornhill Broome Beach after a washout.
- Officials say the work aims to protect the road ahead of an expected El Niño winter.
- A separate lane closure near Crystal Cove followed a hillside crack as crews assess slope damage.
- Some washouts remain flagged with cones as storms keep pounding the coast.
Emergency Shoreline Armoring Underway in Malibu
California’s transportation department began emergency work along State Route 1 at Thornhill Broome Beach after storms washed out part of the roadway. Crews are placing heavy rock along the shoreline to blunt wave energy and stabilize the edge of pavement. The agency described the effort as rock slope protection, a common defense on exposed coasts. Officials said the work is timed to reduce risk before a stronger winter pattern arrives tied to El Niño conditions.
Crews are also adding layers beyond boulders to handle water and debris. A department spokesperson said teams are repairing and replacing drainage and culverts, with some made larger and longer. Workers are laying mesh on the ocean side and placing rock over it to lock the shoreline in place. They are also addressing hazards from earlier burn scars that can send loose rock downslope during heavy rain and surf events.
Damage Extent and Utility Impacts Near Malibu
Recent high surf carved out the soil below the highway near Malibu and removed a utility line. Local reporting described the pavement left hanging over more than 40 feet of empty space, with the ground beneath collapsed by waves. Transportation officials estimated about 50 linear feet of damage in that area. A water line was taken out during the undermining, adding to the repair scope and raising concerns about hidden voids under nearby pavement.
The agency’s first goal is to stop further erosion while keeping at least one safe travel lane open where possible. Rock placement, mesh, and drainage fixes can slow damage from pounding surf. But storm cycles can return quickly, and work windows are short between high tides. The department has not released detailed project numbers or a final schedule for this specific Malibu segment, and cost details were not provided in available reports.
Precautionary Lane Closure and Slope Checks in Orange County
South of Laguna Beach, one southbound lane near Crystal Cove is closed while crews study a crack that formed in the hillside below the road. A transportation spokesperson said the closure runs between Reef Point Drive and Irvine Cove Drive. Drivers were asked to follow posted detours and speed limits to protect workers and prevent crashes in the work zone. Local officials said storm surges may have eroded the base of the slope; a full cause review is underway.
State Parks staff evacuated guests from 26 beach cottages below the affected bluff and closed the beach as a safety step. The area superintendent said the erosion calls for geotechnical evaluation. Agencies are coordinating on next steps while crews gather survey and drone data to confirm how stable the slope remains and what repairs are needed. No firm reopening date has been announced for the lane.
Why This Matters for Everyday Travel and Long-Term Planning
The Pacific Coast Highway is not just scenic; it is a daily route for workers, deliveries, and visitors. When waves undercut the road or slopes crack, travel times jump and detours strain local streets. Some damaged spots remain marked by cones as storms continue, including reports of a steep drop near a bike lane eastbound. That setup is common in emergency phases, but it tests patience and raises safety worries until full fixes are in place.
California has faced this cycle before: patch, reopen, and patch again. In some cases, the state moved parts of Highway 1 inland after years of emergency work. At Gleason Beach in Sonoma County, officials said they used temporary walls and reconstructions for years before opening a new alignment away from the eroding cliff. That history frames today’s debate: protect the road in place for now, while weighing when and where to shift it long term.
Sources:
nypost.com, dnyuz.com, hoodline.com, abc7.com, malibu.fm, ground.news
