Pacific Coast Highway will remain open with crews on standby
TOPANGA – Caltrans will fully close a 3.6-mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard/State Route 27 (SR-27) between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive in the unincorporated community of Topanga at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, in advance of predicted heavy rainstorms and potential debris flows.
Caltrans crews will monitor and reassess road conditions daily as long as it is safe to do so. There is no estimated time for reopening SR-27, but it is likely to remain closed at least through Friday.
Pacific Coast Highway/State Route 1 (PCH) will remain open through the Palisades Fire recovery work zone, which is from Sunset Boulevard to Carbon Beach Terrace, with crews prepositioned at locations that are most susceptible to debris flows.
The National Weather Service is predicting significant rainfall starting Tuesday night through Saturday, with the heaviest impacts occurring overnight Tuesday into Wednesday and then again on Thursday, Christmas Day.
Rainfall totals are estimated at 4 to 8 inches along Los Angeles County coasts and valleys, with peak rain rates of 0.4 to 1.0 inches per hour, according to NWS. Mud and debris flows are likely.
Travelers should plan for alternate routes and avoid driving in rainstorms, particularly through burn scar areas. Expect delays, drive with caution and always turn on headlights in the rain.
Crews are preparing for the storm by moving equipment, placing k-rail and sandbags and stabilizing current retaining wall and other project work on SR-27 and PCH.
Because conditions may change quickly, Caltrans District 7 will share daily updates via news release and on its social media pages, including X (@CaltransDist7), Instagram (@caltransdistrict7) and Facebook (@caltransdistrict7).
Motorists can check current traffic conditions on the Caltrans Quickmap.
The stretch of SR-27 from PCH to Grand View Drive is an active work zone for ongoing recovery efforts from the Palisades Fire and winter storms. It is normally closed to the public from midnight to 5 a.m. daily.