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PCH Roundabouts Project
The City of Malibu is in the development stages of an upcoming safety improvement project, the Pacific Coast Highway Quickbuild Roundabouts Project, located at the intersections of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and El Matador State Beach as well as the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Encinal Canyon Road. This project is anticipated to begin construction early 2026. View Caltrans' webpage on the roundabout project.
Upcoming Public Meetings
- Wednesday, October 22, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Virtual Town Hall
- View the meeting recording: PCH Roundabouts Community Meeting
- December 2, 5:30 PM: In-person Town Hall, Malibu City Hall
- December 16, 6:30 PM: Presentation to Planning Commission
- TBD: Presentation to City Council
Background
This project was identified as part of the 2015 Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Safety Study that was accepted by the Malibu City Council on June 22, 2015, for implementation. The comprehensive traffic safety study was completed in collaboration between several agencies and organizations. The study examined road conditions, determined accident patterns, assessed traffic conflicts, and developed strategies to improve safety on PCH corridor in Malibu.
El Matador State Beach is a very popular beach and is celebrated for its beauty. It can become crowded due to its popularity on social media, which has led to visitors parking in the existing shoulder areas and walking to the beach. The 2015 PCH Safety Study identified El Matador State Beach as having vehicle and pedestrian conflicts. The proposed “quickbuild” roundabout at this existing intersection will reduce traffic speeds and increase pedestrian safety.
Encinal Canyon Road provides a connection from PCH to Highway 23 and Mulholland Highway. The 2015 PCH Safety Study recommended the installation of a new roundabout at this intersection. The proposed “quickbuild” roundabout at this existing intersection would provide a significant safety feature on PCH.
Purpose
The purpose of this project is to improve the safety and operations of PCH by placing the roundabouts at the intersections of Encinal Canyon Road and El Matador State Beach to improve safety through reducing vehicular speeds, enabling safe conditions for parking and pedestrian crossings, improving visibility, and providing pedestrian refuge. Why roundabouts?
Proposed Scope of Work
The PCH Quick Build Roundabouts Project consists of installing “quickbuild” roundabouts at the two identified locations on PCH, the first location will be at the entrance of El Matador State Beach, and the second location will be at the intersection of Encinal Canyon Road and PCH.
PCH Roundabouts Public Comment Form
- Where can I view the conceptual exhibits?
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Conceptual drawings for both locations can be viewed here
- When are these roundabouts anticipated to be installed/finished?
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It is anticipated that this project will begin construction at the beginning of the new year, 2026, and see completion by March 2026.
- How will the roundabouts make it safer for the residents?
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Roundabouts make residential regions safer by reducing vehicle speeds and eliminating the most dangerous types of crashes, which benefits all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists as roundabouts significantly lower the frequency and severity of accidents.
- Why is a one-lane roundabout proposed and not a two-lane?
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A one-lane roundabout is preferred over a two-lane roundabout for several important reasons related to safety, simplicity, feasibility, and efficiency. A single-lane roundabout has fewer conflict points making it much safer. One-lane designs reduce confusion, particularly for unfamiliar or older drivers. The narrower lanes of a one-lane roundabout promote slower driving, which in turn increases pedestrian and cyclist safety. In many areas, especially rural areas, the traffic volume can be handled easily with a single-lane roundabout. In addition to these factors, space along the highway is physically constrained and limited, as it runs the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains. The road is also constrained by bordering residential properties, commercial destinations, and recreational areas, such as beaches and parks. The design of a two-lane roundabout is not feasible within the existing roadway width.
- How will drivers be informed of the roundabout before they reach the proposed intersections?
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Drivers will be informed of the one-lane roundabout in advance through a combination of road signs, pavement markings, and modified roadway design features. These help prepare drivers to slow down, yield, and enter the roundabout correctly.
- The bike lanes are proposed to merge with the travel lane through the roundabout, is this safe?
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Merging bike lanes into the travel lane through a roundabout is a common design in the U.S. and elsewhere for single-lane roundabouts. How it works is before the roundabout, the dedicated bike lane ends and cyclists are directed to merge into the vehicle travel lane. Inside the roundabout, bicycles ride centered in the lane to prevent unsafe passing. After the roundabout, bike lanes resume on the far side.
- No parking is allowed on the inland side of PCH at El Matador; is there proposed to return of parking on the inland side of PCH at the El Matador location?
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The roundabouts will provide parking availability along both sides of Pacific Coast Highway, by optimizing space. A one-lane roundabout requires less space than traditional signalized intersections with turn lanes, thus the space saved can be utilized for parking along the shoulder area.
- What do I do if a first responder is behind me in a roundabout?
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View the flyer here