A large crack formed in a coastal bluff supporting Pacific Coast Highway near Laguna Beach, prompting the closure Tuesday of a southbound traffic lane as officials assess erosion damage following days of powerful surf.
The crack is located near Crystal Cove State Park’s lifeguard headquarters, just outside Laguna Beach city limits.
One southbound lane of PCH was closed between El Morro Canyon and Irvine Cove as a precaution.
Caltrans crews inspected the area Tuesday to determine the extent of the damage and what repairs might be necessary. Laguna Beach officials warned motorists to allow additional travel time, saying the lane closure could extend beyond the next several days.
It was not immediately clear when the crack formed or how long repairs might take.
The damage comes after unusually high surf battered parts of the Orange County coastline in recent days, causing coastal erosion and prompting temporary closures at Crystal Cove State Park and San Onofre State Beach.
