The completed walls are located near the Getty Villa and south of Big Rock Drive
PACIFIC PALISADES – Caltrans announced today significant progress in Palisades Fire recovery efforts with the completion of two protective walls on Pacific Coast Highway/State Route 1 (PCH), one located near the Getty Villa and another south of Big Rock Drive. The 460-foot catchment wall and 710-foot retaining wall mark major milestones in the state’s work to fortify PCH against future fire and storm-related damage.
Catchment wall repairs
In January 2025, the Palisades Fire significantly damaged the 460-foot catchment wall along PCH just south of Big Rock Drive.
Crews removed and replaced the existing catchment wall with new steel beams and concrete lagging to increase fire resiliency. The work also included installation of a concrete barrier to protect the new catchment wall, a new drainage system, reconstruction of pavement between the wall and hillside, installation of wire mesh on the slope for rockfall protection and a new security fence.
The total cost for this project is approximately $17 million.
Before: The fire-damaged catchment wall south of Big Rock Drive in January 2025.
After: The newly completed catchment wall south of Big Rock Drive.
Getty Villa retaining wall
The Palisades Fire also damaged the 710-foot retaining wall affectionately known as the “Getty Villa wall” due to its location south of Getty Villa Drive and below the Getty Villa.
Crews repaired the wall and replaced damaged panels. The wall is now more resilient with a fire-protective coating to protect the wood lagging from potential fire damage.
Before: The Getty Villa wall after the Palisades Fire in January 2025.
After: The newly completed Getty Villa retaining wall.
Both walls mark a significant milestone in recovery work efforts to fortify PCH from future fire and storm-related damage.
Recovery operations from the Palisades Fire are ongoing and expected to continue throughout the year. More information and updates can be found on the PCH Palisades Fire webpage.
Planned weekly closures are posted on the Palisades Fire Emergency Repairs webpage.
Multimedia elements
Video of burned catchment wall in February 2025 (0:46-0:54): https://youtu.be/HheLFuvsOf4?si=hpRlgqxnLcm7ZF3h&t=46
Video of burned catchment wall in April 2025 (0:00-0:13): https://youtu.be/Tu2ohiFjC1I?si=uoVpeRjoLQD8on3F