Update (February 4, 2025) : Pacific Coast Highway to Close for Upcoming Storms
Los Angeles — The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in coordination with the Los Angeles County Public Works Department, announces that it will close State Route 1/Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) beginning Tuesday, February 4 at 3 p.m. to all but essential workers – first responders, recovery agencies, utility companies – as two storm systems come through and until assessments can be made on Friday, Feb. 7. The closure points will be at Chautauqua Boulevard in Los Angeles to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu, with Palisades residents still able to access homes via Chautauqua Boulevard with appropriate passes. 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. Mud and debris flows may occur and canyons may overtop, blocking the road or causing further damage.
Caltrans is implementing traffic controls for the safety of motorists, repair crews and first responders. Motorists should plan ahead tomorrow morning to find alternate routes or plan to avoid the area if possible.
The highway had reopened on Monday, February 3 but it’s necessary to close during these storms due to hills made bare from the recent fires and to protect motorists. Caltrans aims to allow people to return to their properties to continue their work on slope restoration and property repairs that allows for safe rebuilding.
Pacific Palisades’ residents and authorized contractors seeking to return to affected neighborhoods must obtain an access pass at the UCLA Disaster Recovery Center parking structure or the West LA Civic Center. Passes can be obtained daily from 10 AM to 5 PM at both locations.
- UCLA Disaster Recovery Center Parking Structure – 10850 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, 90064
- West LA Civic Center – 1645 Corinth Ave, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, 90025
Additionally, as of today, all of Pacific Coast Highway is open, with one lane open in each direction between Carbon Beach Terrace and Temescal Canyon Road. There is a reduced speed limit of 25 MPH. Expect heavy congestion as this is an active construction zone with flashing red signals and no parking.
Access to the Palisades will remain restricted to residents and authorized personnel only. Checkpoints will be in place – access passes will be required. Law enforcement and the National Guard will be deployed to keep the Palisades safe.
Click here or below to watch a video reviewing lane restrictions in effect on PCH between Malibu and Los Angeles.
