Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that Highway 1 is set to reopen to unrestricted signal-controlled traffic by May 25, following severe damage caused by recent storms. The Governor's proactive measures aim to secure federal funding for repairs in Topanga Canyon and other impacted areas in California.

"Storms in March caused significant damage to critical parts of our transportation infrastructure," Governor Newsom stated. "The state is working overtime to complete repairs as safely and as quickly as possible."

The state of emergency proclamation signed by Governor Newsom is expected to secure an estimated $100 million in federal funding for repairs, including for the badly damaged Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Los Angeles County.

The closure of Topanga Canyon Boulevard has had a significant impact on the community, with hours-long detours and a loss of revenue to local businesses. Similarly, a portion of Highway 1 near Big Sur fell into the ocean on March 30, resulting in limited usage of the remaining roadway. Crews have been working tirelessly to stabilize the roadway, with plans to open Highway 1 to unrestricted traffic by Memorial Day weekend.

The proclamation enables Caltrans to seek funding through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, with repairs completed within the first 180 days of the emergency event eligible for 100 percent federal funding.

The state of emergency covers multiple counties, including Alameda, Los Angeles, Monterey, and Ventura, among others, which have experienced significant damage to roadways due to the recent storms.

In a Twitter post, the California Governor's office highlighted the progress on Highway 1, stating, "Thanks to @CaltransHQ, Highway 1 near Big Sur is on track to reopen by Memorial Day weekend, & we’re proclaiming a state of emergency that will help get federal support & funding to fix sites like Topanga Canyon in LA County."

The Governor's proactive approach and commitment to securing funding for repairs demonstrate a strong response to the challenges posed by the recent storms, ensuring the timely restoration of vital transportation infrastructure in California.