Erosion Threatens SoCal Road, Lloyd Wright Icon

Coastal erosion is causing dangerous driving conditions on a Southern California road, prompting the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council to issue a ban on two-wheeled vehicles on the roadway. “Land movement is happening at a rate of 7 to 12 inches per week on Palos Verdes Drive South, according to the city,” reports Michael Hixon in Daily Breeze.

The city’s Public Works Director defended the move, saying, “Sometimes, fissures, dips, bumps, other pavement irregularities are forming, and although four-wheeled vehicles can usually navigate these, given the warning signs and slowing down, the same cannot be said for two-wheeled vehicles.”

The two-mile stretch of road in question includes Lloyd Wright, Jr.’s iconic Wayfarers Chapel, which is being dismantled and relocated to more solid ground. “In March, city officials warned Palos Verdes Drive South, where approximately 16,000 cars travel daily, might have to be closed to all traffic while workers performed the regrading or built a detour route.”

Local bike advocates are urging the city to take other safety measures while allowing bicyclists to continue to use the road. “Cars swerving to avoid fissures is just as dangerous, said commenters, as motorcyclists or bicyclists on the road.”