Pacific Coast Highway reopens weeks after fire, but new closure set for Tuesday

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Tuesday, February 4, 2025
PCH reopens weeks after fire, but new closure set for Tuesday
PCH finally reopened between the McClure Tunnel in Santa Monica and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu, but a stretch of the road will close again due to anticipated rain.

PACIFIC PALISADES, LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- Pacific Coast Highway, which was largely off limits since the Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7, finally reopened Monday between the McClure Tunnel in Santa Monica and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu, but a stretch of the road will close again Tuesday due to anticipated rain.

Traffic began flowing on PCH around 8 a.m. Monday, with only one lane in each direction and speed limited to 25 mph, according to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' office.

Returning residents and authorized contractors were given access to the Palisades Fire burn area with access passes, which are now being distributed by law enforcement at the parking structure of the Disaster Recovery Center in West Los Angeles, 10850 Pico Blvd. Passes can be obtained daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As the community braces for another round of rain, extra precautions are already in place for the Palisades burn scar.

The Red Cross and county health officials have been distributing personal protective equipment to people heading for the burn area.

But the free flow of traffic on PCH will be short-lived.

Caltrans announced late Monday that it will shut down PCH again at 3 p.m. Tuesday between Chautauqua Boulevard in Los Angeles and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu due to the anticipated rainfall from a pair of back-to-back storms. The road is expected to remain closed until at least Friday.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the highway must be closed due to soft soils on both the hill and ocean sides of the road," according to a statement from Caltrans. "Mud and debris flows may occur and canyons may overtop, blocking the road or causing further damage."

The Pacific Coast Highway partially reopened in the Palisades Fire area Sunday following lack of coordination between the city and county of Los Angeles. The full reopening was postponed for Monday.

Only essential workers -- such as first responders, recovery agencies and utility companies -- will be able to access PCH in the closure area, according to Caltrans.

Residents with passes will still be able to return to their homes in Pacific Palisades via Chautauqua, according to Caltrans.

Los Angeles County had reopened PCH in Malibu and unincorporated areas on Sunday morning. The city of Los Angeles had been expected to do the same, but delayed the reopening until Monday, sparking some complaints from county and Malibu officials.

But by 8 a.m. Monday, the highway was reopened with the lane and speed restrictions. The reopening came with revised access plans announced by Bass' office:

-- Checkpoints and proof-of-residence or entry passes will still be required to enter the Palisades.

-- Contractors are allowed in the fire area, but will be required to provide identification and proof that they have been hired by specific residents within the impacted areas.

Drivers were encouraged to avoid the area if possible as extreme congestion was expected, and to be mindful of the active construction zone with trucks moving in and out of the area.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard remains closed from PCH to Grand View Drive.

People entering the burn zones were also urged to wear masks and protect themselves from health hazards.

Updates on road closures countywide can be found here. Additional information is also available here.

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