April 12, 2025: Below are press release updates from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Caltrans regarding Pacific Coast Highway reopening estimates and upcoming overnight pavement work on the northern portion of Topanga Canyon Blvd. between Cezanne Avenue and Happy Trail.
With regard to continued work on the southern, closed end of Topanga Canyon Blvd.:
Caltrans is working to build a new retaining wall at the location where the northbound side of the TCB washed out and the water main that serves the community is threatened. This and 2 other washouts are pretty challenging to repair but Caltrans is working hard on solutions. Above is a photo of the hanging water main courtesy of Rosi Dagit, Principle Conservation Biologist at the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains.
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April 12, 2025: Governor Newsom announces Pacific Coast Highway will reopen in time for summer as California’s all-in fire response continues ahead of schedule
Governor Gavin Newsom today announced an all-hands-on-deck effort to support businesses and tourism by expediting fire cleanup efforts so that State Route 1, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), will reopen to public travel by the end of May – well ahead of experts’ original predictions.
The Pacific Coast Highway is a major artery that serves hundreds of thousands of Angelenos and visitors from around the world daily and is crucial to connecting Los Angeles with Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and points north. Currently, PCH is only open to residents who live in the Palisades Fire burn area, essential businesses, and repair crews. Following the reopening, one lane in each direction would be available for public travel.
“We understand how essential this route is for daily life and local businesses. Reopening PCH is a top priority, and we are going all-in to get this done.” – Governor Newsom
With the busy summer months along the coast fast approaching, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and Caltrans will effectuate the reopening by working closely with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to prioritize the cleanup of parcels along PCH by surging additional crews into the area so that these parcels can be cleared of debris quickly.
Crews will work around the clock – literally 24/7 – to demolish the damaged and collapsed homes, remove toxic ash and soot, repair the roadways, and install new utility equipment.
There are currently more than 100 USACE crews (consisting of excavators, metal crushing equipment, and dump trucks) working on Palisades Fire parcels. All equipment and dump trucks utilize PCH as a path of travel for the haul routes. Currently, USACE is removing nearly 1,284 truckloads of debris per day.
Once their work is complete, PCH will be able to safely reopen to the public with one lane in each direction.
Once the highway is reopened, security checkpoints currently in place on the north and south ends of closure will be removed, but a robust law enforcement presence from state and local agencies will remain in place.
To stay up to date on the latest and track progress in wildfire recovery visit: https://www.ca.gov/LAfires/
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April 13, 2025: Caltrans to Begin Overnight Pavement Work on Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Topanga Starting on June 2
Topanga — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announces overnight closures of Topanga Canyon Boulevard (State Route 27) in the unincorporated area of Topanga for pavement work starting Monday, June 2. The closures will be from Monday through Friday, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night.
The closures will impact both directions of Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Cezanne Avenue to Happy Trail. During the paving operation, one lane will be open for use by both directions on traffic, with flaggers directing alternating traffic.
Closures are weather-permitting and subject to change. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to use alternate routes during construction hours. Additionally, motorists can view current traffic closures before they leave for their destination by visiting the Caltrans Quickmap. Residents and businesses located near the highway are advised to anticipate noise, vibrations, and dust associated with construction activities.
The work is part of a project to repave Topanga Canyon Boulevard and upgrade curb ramps, pedestrian push buttons, and bus pads in the San Fernando Valley and through the unincorporated area of Topanga. The work zone spans more than 18 miles on Topanga Canyon Boulevard from Pacific Coast Highway to Devonshire Street in Chatsworth.
Caltrans reminds motorists to “Be Work Zone Alert” and “Slow for the Cone Zone.”