Golden State Today

Governor Newsom has announced that the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) will reopen by the end of May, well ahead of the expected schedule, following its closure due to the Palisades Fire. The highway is a crucial transportation route, connecting Los Angeles to Pacific Palisades and Malibu, impacting daily life and tourism.

Governor Newsom stated, "We understand how essential this route is for daily life and local businesses. Reopening PCH is a top priority, and we are going all-in to get this done."

Efforts to expedite the reopening are underway as the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and Caltrans collaborate with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Additional crews are working to clear debris along PCH ahead of the busy summer tourist season.

Over 100 crews from USACE are active, using heavy machinery to remove debris from affected areas. The current operation involves approximately 1,284 truckloads of debris being cleared daily. When the work is completed, PCH will open with one lane accessible in both directions.

Following the reopening, existing security checkpoints will be removed, although the presence of state and local law enforcement will be maintained for ongoing monitoring.

More information about the wildfire recovery efforts can be found at the official state website.