Caltrans Plans PCH Closures Monday, Tuesday

 Last week's rains have meant scheduled road closures on Pacific Coast Highway west of Malibu will instead take place Monday and Tuesday, Caltrans officials said today.

Climbers armed with pry bars will rappel up and down the cliffs over two days to dislodge rocks that were loosened during the Springs Fire, which scorched the cliffs last spring.

At some later date, helicopters and rock climbers will attach giant steel nets to the cliff sides near Point Mugu, the agency said.

But first, the rock-busting will close State Route 1 between Malibu and Point Mugu for 30-minute periods between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. both Monday and Tuesday.

Caltrans officials urged drivers to consider alternate routes: U.S. 101 and Kanan-Dume Road. Trucks and vehicles with trailers are banned on the steep Kanan-Dume Road, and those drivers must use other roads between the Conejo Valley and Malibu.

PCH is used by thousands of commuters daily between the Westside of Los Angeles and Ventura County, and the agency warned drivers to expect long lines if they take the coast route Monday and Tuesday.