Pacific Coast Highway to Close for Upcoming Storms

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Pacific Coast Highway to Close for Upcoming Storms

Only Essential Workers Allowed Due to Possible Debris Flows

 

Los Angeles — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in coordination with the Los Angeles County Public Works Department, announces that it will close State Route 1/Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) beginning Tuesday, February 4 at 3 p.m. to all but essential workers – first responders, recovery agencies, utility companies – as two storm systems come through and until assessments can be made on Friday, Feb. 7. The closure points will be at Chautauqua Boulevard in Los Angeles to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu, with Palisades residents still able to access homes via Chautauqua Boulevard with appropriate passes. 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. Mud and debris flows may occur and canyons may overtop, blocking the road or causing further damage.

 

Caltrans is implementing traffic controls for the safety of motorists, repair crews and first responders. Motorists should plan ahead tomorrow morning to find alternate routes or plan to avoid the area if possible. 

 

The highway had reopened on Monday, February 3 but it’s necessary to close during these storms due to hills made bare from the recent fires and to protect motorists. Caltrans aims to allow people to return to their properties to continue their work on slope restoration and property repairs that allows for safe rebuilding.