MALIBU—Construction company Flatiron shared news on July 13 that the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has approved their pre-construction services to proceed on its Ventura County slope restoration project. The work area is located along California’s Highway 1, inside the Point Mugu State Park, 15 miles north of Malibu.

The project is estimated to cost $53 million. Pre-construction will take place beginning in approximately late 2021 and is expected to complete in mid-2023. Flatiron is working in a joint venture with Drill Tech.

According to a press release, they will perform repairs to the coastline from previous weather damages, and improve the area’s resiliency in the face of projected sea level rise. Project Manager Hunter Bodycott said the environment is a top priority in addition to fulfilling these objectives.

“The project’s proximity to the ocean and its location within the limits of a state park require a proactive approach to environmental compliance,” said Bodycott.

Flatiron Vice President and District Manager Ural Yal stated:

“We are excited to collaborate with Caltrans District 7 in its first project delivered through the construction manager/general contractor method. Our pre-construction team is looking forward to providing value to Caltrans by improving constructability and meeting Caltrans’ schedule and budget goals, while respecting the pristine environment where the project is located.”

According to the CEQAnet database, in 2017 Caltrans District 7 proposed the construction of two secant walls to submerge underground on the southbound/coastal side of Pacific Coast Highway to stabilize the roadway foundation. The project file also specified the location’s cross streets are south of Point Mugu State Park and Sycamore Canyon Road.

“The project is needed because the area is prone to erosion and needs adequate slope protection,” the description of the Early Consultation document said. A total of five documents are included in the project’s database file. The final and most recent document, entitled “Notice of Determination”, was posted and approved in August 2019. The California Transportation Commission was the approving agency, as shown in the document.

The determinations listed in the document are below:

(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment: No

(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA: No

(2b) A Mitigated or a Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA: Yes

(2c) Another document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA: No

(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project: No

(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project: No

(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project: No

(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA: Yes

CEQAnet is the online environmental database of the State Clearinghouse (SCH) within the State of California’s Office of Planning and Research.

Flatiron has previously provided its services to the city of Los Angeles, and continues to develop new projects including The Automated People Mover at LAX Airport. The in-progress transit system began in 2018 and is expected to be completed in 2023. The company also provided pre-construction, design, and value engineering for the Exposition Light Rail Line which runs through downtown LA to Culver City and was finished in 2011. They have been developing infrastructure since 1947 in the United States and Canada.