Alternate to PCH Needed

We need to build an alternate highway along the coast between Santa Monica and Malibu, either across the Santa Monica Bay, or over the mountain ridges above and beyond the palisades that continue to erode and block the coast road. The recent storm demonstrates once again the patchwork used to date won’t do.

Over the long run the cost for the alternate route may well be less than what it cost for us to stop traffic, endanger lives, and shore up the water-drenched, water-logged cliffs.

My own experience as chairperson for the Palisades Highlands Home Owners Assns., with its limited slide danger that periodically frustrates the people who live in the Highlands suggests action for change will only take place when the citizens in the area and state recognize the repairs currently made after each storm do not solve the problem.

Our slide problem (on Palisades Drive in the Highlands) was a matter of jurisdictional dispute (as to responsibility) took almost two years to resolve. And even with the state parks assuming that obligation, budget restraints delay resolution. The current storm almost closed our only canyon road, and did endanger drivers.

One has to wonder if only class action suits get the desired action. The “we don’t have an emergency” response that closes access to such funds won’t hold after this last episode, especially when one sees the Legislature spending money for pet projects that satisfy special interests while the general community gets shortchanged.

HYMAN H. HAVES

Pacific Palisades