Update 3/18/2025: Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27) Fire Recovery and Repairs Continue
Safety is the top priority, please stay off closed roads.
Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27) remains closed to the public for safety reasons between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View as extensive cleanup and repairs continue. The closure is to protect the public from serious injuries and fatalities.
Caltrans is prepared to open the road as soon as it is safe to do so in coordination with the California Highway Patrol, utilities and local public agencies.
Caltrans expects to open one lane to school buses during designated times with an escort this week and is working on a plan with its partners to also allow essential business travel during this timeframe.
Progress has been made in cleanup efforts, with at least 8,600 cubic yards of mud and debris — equivalent to 860 truckloads — removed so far of the 33,000 cubic yards that came down on the highway after the February storm. All mud and debris are being pushed to the side of the road and tested. Clean dirt will be sent to Oxnard farms for reuse. To date, all dirt has tested clean.
Caltrans and its partners are working to restore Topanga Canyon Boulevard by building retaining walls in three locations and rebuilding the shoulder and lane where the road was washed away. Rebuilding the shoulder and lane will take at least a month, once a design is in place. Additionally, multiple locations throughout SR-27 will require the installation of debris flow barriers and installation of larger culverts. These improvements will help minimize the impacts of future debris/mudflows on SR-27 due to the extensive burn scars in the canyon.
Southern California Edison has also begun the process of undergrounding utility lines (watch: https://youtu.be/-f9eNIdb3QI). The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works will be re-routing a water main connection that was exposed when the road washed away.
If you have any questions, please email Topanga@dot.ca.gov.
Go to ca.gov/LAfires for recovery resources and information. Get help now.
Palisades Fire Incident Access Pass & Road Updates
Pass Update as of 3/2/25
Advisory: PCH Pass Update for Palisades Fire
🚨 PCH Burn Area Access Pass Update 🚨Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, LAPD Headquarters, City of Los Angeles and Supervisor Horvath’s Office have teamed up to create a unified PCH access pass. The new pass will include all agency logos. All original passes already previously issued will continue to be accepted.
PCH burn area access passes remain limited to:
✅ Residents who live within the Palisades Fire burn areas.
✅ Essential businesses and contractors with work within the Palisades Fire burn areas (e.g., brick-and-mortar businesses, caretakers, healthcare workers, grocery workers, babysitters, contractors, insurance adjusters, damage mitigation companies, etc.) – Eligibility will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis at the pass center. No one will be vetted over the phone, nor does any online vetting process exist at this time.
✅ School buses and Metro Buses.
No pass centers are open on Sundays.
Important Dates:
🔹 New pass distribution begins Tuesday, March 4, on the following schedule:
📅 Monday – Saturday | 🕙 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
📍 Disaster Recovery Center, UCLA Research Park West (10850 West Pico Blvd.)
📅 Tuesdays & Thursdays | 🕙 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
📍 SMC-Malibu Campus Interpretive Center (23555 Civic Center Way)
📅 Saturdays | 🕙 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
📍 Malibu City Hall, Multipurpose Room (23825 Stuart Ranch Road)
Pass Update (as of 2/28/25): Currently, passes will be issued on 2/28/25 and 3/1/25, 10-5pm, at Malibu City Hall. They will not be issuing passes on the following Sunday or Monday. There will be a new plan in place starting Tuesday, March 4th. The announcement is forthcoming on those pass details, and the Town Council will continue updating the information on OneTopanga.com.
The TTC has reviewed the current criteria for this special pass and has created an information sheet to address common questions (which will be updated next Tuesday)—see Palisades Fire Incident Access Pass info. While PCH access is not available to everyone, it may offer some relief to those who lost homes in the fire and need it most.
Obtaining a Palisades Fire Incident Access Pass does not guarantee access onto and through PCH at all times. Access may be affected by current road conditions and hazards, which are changing all the time. The number of vehicles on the road may also restrict access at certain times for safety reasons. For more information, contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at 818-878-1808.
Note: There are many qualifiers for obtaining a pass and it’s at the discretion of law enforcement, but the main considerations are that you live within the burn scar area, have no other exit route available except PCH, or are an essential contractor or worker. Obviously, there are exceptions and other factors involved in obtaining a pass, and you can plead your case for special consideration. Be sure to see the Town Council’s guideline sheet.
Topanga Undergrounding Project Ahead of Schedule
Southern California Edison (SCE) is set to complete Phase 1 of the Topanga Undergrounding Project by the end of March, a couple of months ahead of schedule. Even better news? Starting sometime within the next few week, no additional lane closures on TCB will be required as they will perform the electrical work at night.
Additionally, SCE has accelerated its timeline for Phase 3, already trenching the lower part of TCB while Caltrans carries out its repair work from the fire and landslides. For more details on the Topanga Underground Utility Project, visit SCE’s website.
The Town Council will continue to advocate for Topangans and push for timely updates on road conditions. Stay informed and engaged by seeing articles reflecting the latest news OneTopanga.com.
2.26.25 CALTRANS UPDATE
Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27) Fire Recovery and Repairs
Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27) remains closed to the public for safety reasons between Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Grand View Drive due to the recent rain. Areas were washed out and now need structural repair and cleanup. This is in addition to repairs for fire-related damage. As Caltrans works to restore the road, it will maintain access for emergency responders and is exploring options for limited access, when safely feasible. There is no estimated time of reopening.
Another safety threat was the recent discovery of a large boulder, measuring 30 feet by 15 feet by 10 feet, which is in an unstable position above the roadway between postmile 2.1 and 1.7. Last week, Caltrans began a rock scaling operation after coordinating with utilities to shut off power due to its proximity to a powerline. The area was closed to all – including Caltrans Maintenance, contract crews and utility workers. On Monday, February 24, crews were able to successfully blast the boulder and resume clearing of SR 27.
Utility companies are continuing major repair work, including rerouting a main water line and underground electrical work, which will impact the shoulder and lane. This will require one-way traffic control for contractors. Prior to the recent rain, Caltrans geotechnical engineers identified more than 20 locations along SR-27 that need debris flow barriers and culvert replacement. Additional work and safety measures, such as scaling and installation of rockfall cable mesh, are needed to restore slope stability and roadway safety.
Although reopening the roadway is dependent on cleanup, repair work and weather, Caltrans stands ready to execute a reopening plan in coordination with the CHP, utilities, and any affected public agencies as soon as it is safe to do so. We recognize the critical role these corridors play in the clean-up and recovery efforts for the residents and the public. The decision to reopen lanes must be a joint decision from all parties with a specific plan in place and with safety as the top consideration. We will keep you informed of potential plans to provide limited, escorted access during designated periods.
If you have any questions, please email Topanga@dot.ca.gov
SR-27 road conditions after February rainstorms video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW2RU9zvuE0
SR-27 rock scaling operations from Feb. 20 video link:
SR-27 boulder removal:
2.24.25 PCH ACCESS – PASS UPDATE:
Access Passes are being issued at Malibu City Hall “ONLY” for residents whose properties have been directly affected by the Palisades Fire in the burn scar area.
Many folks are showing up at Malibu City Hall looking for access passes so they can use PCH, Los Flores, Schueren, Tuna Canyon, Saddle Peak and other roads as a thru street to get to their homes. They are waiting a long time and being denied passes. The intent for these passes is, again, for residents dealing with the loss of homes or property needing to gain access. Without ID that matches damaged property records, you will be denied.
The Topanga Resident Access Card is not being accepted for this particular situation as the Malibu Pass is specific to fire-damaged properties only.
LA County Sheriff’s Department will be distributing burn area access passes for Malibu, Sunset Mesa, Topanga Canyon, unincorporated LA County residents, and contractors hired by residents in the burn area only. Passes will be available for pick up at Malibu City Hall, (23825 Stuart Ranch Rd, Malibu) beginning Thursday, February 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Residents in the burn area must provide a valid ID or other form of identification with name and address (i.e. utility bill, tax bill, paystub, or bank statement) to pick up an access pass. Each member of a household should have an access pass and display it on the dashboard of their vehicle.
Passes for contractors in the burn area are currently limited to entities completing assessments or evaluations, providing security services or conducting services inside standing structures (i.e. cleaning, remediation, care services). For tow or moving companies, residents must join the service provider at the checkpoint for access.
For additional questions on burn area access passes, please contact Lost Hills Sheriff Station at (818) 878-1808.
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2-19-25 CALTRANS UPDATE:
Pacific Coast Highway Access Expanded to Palisades, Malibu Residents, Essential Businesses and School Buses. Caltrans and Partner Agencies Extend Soft Closure; Lane Restrictions and Speed Reductions Will be in Effect
Los Angeles — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in coordination with local partners and affected agencies, announces expanded access of State Route 1/Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) through the cities of Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Malibu to Palisades and Malibu residents, essential businesses and school bus traffic as of 6 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 20.
Caltrans and its partners at the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD), California Highway Patrol (CHP) and other city and state agencies have expanded the soft closure of PCH to allow access to those who require this route for essential travel.
Residents, school bus traffic, essential business owners and workers will be allowed to access PCH. LAPD and LASD will provide information on how to obtain an access pass. Access points will be in the same locations at Chautauqua Boulevard in Los Angeles and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu.
Caltrans is implementing traffic controls for the safety of motorists, repair crews and first responders.
The following restrictions on PCH will be in place:
PCH is reduced to one lane each direction with a 25 mile per hour speed limit between Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu.
All signalized intersections are on flashing red and should be treated as a four-way stop, even if the intersection is dark due to a power outage.There is no parking, no stopping and no pedestrians allowed in the work zone.
Vehicles may not pass one another.There is one lane through the McClure Tunnel from westbound I-10 to northbound PCH, and one lane entering northbound PCH from the California Incline. These two lanes merge into one lane, potentially causing delays.
Closing the right lane in each direction allows safe access for utility workers, debris haulers and contractors who are working on wildfire and storm recovery efforts.
Motorists who are able to access PCH should expect long delays and are strongly encouraged to add extra time to their commutes and avoid the area if possible.
PCH remains closed to general traffic, and only essential travel is recommended. Visitors wishing to access Malibu may do so by using US 101 via Las Virgenes Road/Malibu Canyon Road or Kanan Dume Road.
As partner agencies work to remove fire and storm debris, there may be times where a hard closure is still necessary. Caltrans will give notice of these closures.
Caltrans reminds motorists that PCH is still an active work zone as crews help the county recover from the Palisades fire and subsequent storms and flooding. Traffic fines can be doubled in an active work zone. Motorists should use caution driving through the area and slow down for workers.
Pacific Coast Highway access is expanding starting at 6 a.m. TOMORROW (2-20-25) to Palisades and Malibu residents, essential businesses and school buses. 📢
Traffic restrictions will be in place, including no stopping or passing vehicles, reduced speed to 25 mph and only one lane in both directions.
We recommend essential travel only and to plan extra time for your commutes. Expect long delays.
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CALTRANS PAST POSTS:
Pacific Coast Highway has reopened to a soft closure between Chautauqua Boulevard and Carbon Beach Terrace. Emergency responders, contractors, utilities and those with (Malibu) passes may travel through for business. The 25 mile per hour speed limit, one lane and flashing red light conditions are in place.
At this time, due to continuing cleanup and heavy vehicles in the work zone, the public will be restricted from traveling on PCH.
Thank you for your continuing patience. At least there are no more storms, but there have been two earthquakes. They don’t appear to have impacted any rockfall on PCH.
Be safe out there!
View looking south/east at Las Flores. Note that mud has been moved to parking lot.
View looking south/east at Big Rock Drive. Note that road is still muddy.