PCH Will Be Shut Down Once Again As Back-To-Back Storms Head To LA County

MALIBU, CA — A stretch of Pacific Coast Highway that reopened on Monday is set to be closed to traffic once again on Tuesday ahead of a series of back-to-back storms expected to hit the region later this week.

PCH will be closed between Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu at 3 p.m. Tuesday. The stretch is expected to reopen Friday, according to Caltrans.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the highway must be closed due to soft soils on both the hill and ocean sides of the road," Caltrans said. "Mud and debris flows may occur and canyons may overtop, blocking the road or causing further damage."

Palisades residents with passes will be allowed to access their homes via Chautauqua, officials said.

Only essential workers, first responders, recovery agencies and utility companies will be allowed on the closed stretch of PCH.

The closure comes as officials are preparing for two separate storms to hit the region this week. The first storm could bring rain as early as Tuesday night. The National Weather Service predicts a "very small" risk of mudslides in areas impacted by the Palisades Fire, particularly in "sensitive" canyon roads.

After being closed since the Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7, PCH on Monday morning reopened between the McClure Tunnel in Santa Monica and Carbon Beach Terrace. It was open with one lane in each direction and a 25 mph speed limit, according to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' office.

• Checkpoints and proof-of-residence or entry passes will still be required to enter the Palisades. They're available at the Disaster Recovery Center at 10850 Pico Blvd. daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Contractors are allowed in the fire area, but will be required to provide identification and proof that they have been hired by specific residents within the impacted areas.

Meantime, Los Angeles County officials reopened access to Malibu and unincorporated portions of PCH at 8 a.m. Sunday. The highway was reopened Sunday from the Ventura County line to Coastline Drive.

The city of Los Angeles had been expected to do the same, but delayed the reopening until Monday, sparking some complaints from county and Malibu officials.

Drivers were encouraged to avoid the area if possible as extreme congestion was expected, and to be mindful of the active construction zone with trucks moving in and out of the area.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard remains closed from PCH to Grand View Drive.

People entering the burn zones were also urged to wear masks and protect themselves from health hazards.

Updates on road closures countywide are available on the county's website.

City News Service contributed to this report.