• Are We Where Yet? •

When MSN editor Anne Soble opened her emails Monday morning, the winner of the prize for email of the day was this photograph taken by local public policy activist Ryan Embree.
Could it be? A major Malibu intersection without any identification? If it wasn’t a case of clever handiwork in Photoshop, the photo clearly indicates that there is no road name sign at one of Malibu’s most important intersections—Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon Road.
A much bemused Soble began emailing the Caltrans public information office. Puzzlement was expressed. Several emails later, Soble was told that she was the first person to inform that august agency, whose official vehicles must pass the intersection several times a day, that the sign was missing.
According to the Caltrans PIO, “Today is the official recording of the missing sign and we thank you for bringing it to our attention. Caltrans relies on motorists and local observers to help be our eyes and ears in the field since we can't be everywhere at once.” Really.
The Caltrans spokesperson indicated that the agency has no idea what happened to the sign but she said that there may not be a replacement soon. It seems the money has to be requested and then allocated, and that’s not going to happen until the state budget is completed.
As for some kind of temporary signage to keep Malibu Creek State Park visitors from driving to Point Dume and beyond in search of Malibu Canyon Road, the spokesperson said, “Unfortunately, since all signs must conform to state specifications, there is no way to post temporary signage.” Really.
When Caltrans was told about the newspaper’s concerns that the lack of signage could prove critical during a wildfire in the canyon, with out-of-area emergency equipment unable to figure out where Malibu Canyon Road cuts into PCH, there was no official comment.