By Redaccion
Redaccion@latinocc.com
Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), closed due to the devastating Palisades Fire, will reopen to the public by the end of May—months ahead of schedule.
The accelerated reopening is part of California’s all-hands-on-deck fire recovery strategy, aimed at restoring access and supporting tourism and local economies before the busy summer season.
The PCH is a vital transportation route, linking Los Angeles with communities such as Pacific Palisades and Malibu, and serving hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists each day. Since the fire, access has been restricted to residents, essential businesses, and emergency crews working in the burn area.
“We understand how essential this route is for daily life and local businesses,” said Governor Newsom. “Reopening PCH is a top priority, and we are going all-in to get this done.”
To fast-track the cleanup and reopening, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and Caltrans are working in close coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Crews are being deployed around the clock to demolish damaged structures, remove toxic debris, repair roadway infrastructure, and restore utility lines.
More than 100 USACE crews are currently operating heavy machinery, including excavators and dump trucks, to clear approximately 1,284 truckloads of debris daily. These vehicles rely on PCH for access to disposal routes, making the reopening a critical part of broader fire recovery logistics.
When reopened, PCH will offer one lane in each direction for public travel. Security checkpoints at both ends of the closure will be removed, though an increased presence of law enforcement will remain to ensure safety.
Officials emphasize that while public access is being restored, fire recovery efforts will continue with safety and environmental protections in mind.
To monitor progress and get updates on wildfire recovery, visit: https://www.ca.gov/LAfires
