Work to remove a portion of a potentially crumbling bluff overlooking Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica was completed ahead of schedule Wednesday, and road and freeway closures that snarled the morning commute were lifted before midday.
The work was prompted by a fissure that developed in a dirt outcropping from the ocean-facing bluff, raising concern that it could potentially collapse onto PCH.
To accommodate the repairs, the westbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway was closed at Lincoln Boulevard, as was northbound PCH and the Moomat Ahiko Way on-ramp from Ocean Avenue to PCH. The closure took effect late Tuesday night and were scheduled to last until about noon Wednesday. But the work was completed early, and the closures were lifted around 11 a.m.
The work involved the use of a large crane with a clamshell attachment that removed the unstable portion of the bluff then broke it apart so the dirt could be hauled away.
The freeway and street closures led to some jammed local roads during the morning rush hour as motorists sought alternate routes to northbound PCH.