KBUU Suggestion For PCH Tow Trucks May Actually Be Granted
Written by 991KBU on May 7, 2018
In August of 2016 … there was a big crash on Pacific Coast Highway … heading in to Santa Monica.
Eastbound lanes were blocked by wreckage for 2-1/2 hours … the tow trucks were stuck in traffic … Malibu was stuck..
KBUU radio asked elected officials ….why was the CHP approved tow truck was stuck in stopped traffic for more than 90 minutes??
And why are there no Metro Freeway Service Patrol tow trucks … stationed on PCH in Malibu?
Freeway Service Patrol trucks are on every freeway in LA County.
They can untangle wrecks until the CHP-approved tow trucks arrive to haul off the damage.
County supervisor Sheila Kuehl told KBUU News she would ask Metro to study bringing Freeway Service Patrol trucks to Malibu.
The study is done … the recommendation is in.
Metro says P C H meets state requirements for Freeway Service Patrol tow trucks.
Metro estimates that the cost to provide one truck to cover PCH from the 10 Freeway to Decker Canyon Road for 7 hours per day during the week would be approximately 120,000 dollars per year.
And Metro will pay 80 percent of that cost … the city might have to kick in 24 thousand dollars per year.
That’s for weekday service … stationing a tow truck on PCH to clear wrecks immediately … provide gas for stranded cars stuck in traffic … et cetera.
Weekend service would cost a little more.
The matter goes before the city council next week.
Freeway Service Patrol trucks are a proven way to reduce traffic jams on the L A freeways.
Now … they may unclog traffic crashes on P C H.
