Major Traffic Impacts Expected During Upcoming Caltrans Culvert Replacement Project On Coast Highway At Laguna Beach

Press release from the City of Laguna Beach:

March 4, 2021

LAGUNA BEACH, CA – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is scheduled to replace the box culvert under Coast Highway at Main Beach this spring. The estimated construction dates are from April 1 until May 28 with overnight pre-construction activities beginning March 15.

The box culvert that runs underneath Coast Highway at Main Beach carries storm water from the Downtown area and is necessary to protect Downtown properties from flooding. The culvert is now 100 years old, and the concrete inside the culvert is crumbling, exposing corroded rebar. To ensure stability of the culvert and for the safety of drivers using Coast Highway, the culvert must be replaced as soon as possible.

Pre-construction Staging and Installation of Construction Equipment (3/15 – 3/20)

Overnight pre-construction work is set to start on Monday, March 15. This work will require traffic lane closures for 5 nights. To minimize the impact to the public, the closures will take place overnight from 8:00 p.m. until 4:30 a.m. beginning Monday, March 15 to Thursday, March 18 and overnight from 10:00 p.m. until 4:30 a.m. on Friday, March 20.

During Construction (4/1 – 5/28)

Construction work will be done in two phases and Caltrans crews will be working double shifts as needed to finish by Memorial Day. Downtown traffic control will be provided by the City of Laguna Beach and Caltrans 7 days/week to help mitigate traffic impacts due to the long-term lane closures needed to complete the work safely and quickly. Parking on Coast Highway between Broadway and Ocean will be restricted and traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction for the duration of construction. Adjacent businesses will be open during construction.

Caltrans appreciates the public’s patience while we perform this work. Signage will be posted to notify drivers of the closure.

This press release was produced by the City of Laguna Beach. The views expressed here are the author’s own.