Caltrans will begin a long pavement project on Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) in Malibu on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. The work covers the stretch from Malibu Lagoon to the Ventura County line, and Caltrans expects it to continue into winter 2029/2030.
Crews will work Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. At least one lane stays open in each direction while they work. Still, Caltrans tells drivers to expect delays, and the schedule can shift with the weather.
What the project includes
The Caltrans announcement of Oct. 9 puts the cost at about $69 million. The contractor is Chumo Construction Inc. of Baldwin Park. The scope goes beyond resurfacing:
- Pavement rehabilitation and new striping
- ADA curb ramps
- New guardrail and signage
- Roadway lighting and signal improvements
- “Complete Streets” features for people who bike, walk and drive
Because the road is the main route along the coast, the work will touch commuters, beachgoers and residents at the same time.
What residents and drivers should expect
Caltrans says nearby homes and businesses may notice noise, vibration and grinding during the day. Lane reductions will likely slow traffic most at the start and end of the work window. Caltrans advises using alternate routes but does not name specific detours for this project, partly because few parallel roads exist along this part of the coast.
The project runs for several years, so conditions will change as crews move from one segment to the next. As of Oct. 20, 2026, Caltrans has not published a segment-by-segment calendar.
How to check conditions
Caltrans recommends QuickMap for live lane closures and delays. The agency also asks drivers to follow its Be Work Zone Alert guidance and to move over for workers when they can. Weekday daytime travel is the most likely to be affected, while evenings and weekends are outside the stated work hours.
More local road and transit coverage is in our Los Angeles guides.