Just a day after fully reopening for the first time in weeks, Pacific Coast Highway will close again Tuesday in anticipation of back-to-back storms set to roll through Southern California that could potentially cause landslides in areas recently burned by the Palisades Fire.
This closure comes after the reopening of PCH was delayed from Sunday to Monday due to area residents’ crime concerns.
The coastal roadway did reopen Monday morning, allowing the general public to make their way from Santa Monica to Malibu via PCH for the first time since the Palisades Fire broke out on Jan. 7, though only one lane was opened in each direction and a 25 mile per hour speed limit was put into place.
Parking, stopping and foot traffic are not allowed on the affected stretch of PCH until further notice, Caltrans officials said, and law enforcement officials are issuing tickets to violators.
Beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesday, only essential workers, including law enforcement, utility crews and recovery agencies, will be permitted on Pacific Coast Highway between Chautauqua Boulevard and Carbon Beach Terrace. Pacific Palisades residents will be able to access their homes via Chautauqua provided they have the correct passes.
Topanga Canyon Road will also be closed between PCH and Grand View Drive.
The latest closure will last until at least Friday when the second storm moves out of the area and crews can reassess the burn areas. Residents, essential workers and law enforcement remain the only groups allowed into residential areas of the Pacific Palisades.
On Tuesday morning, traffic was seen moving slowly on PCH at Entrada Drive in Santa Monica. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible.
Crews have been working in the area to prepare for the incoming storms by setting up miles of K-rail, putting up sandbags and reinforcing flood control channels.
