After months of fire, mudslides and frustrating detours, one of the world’s most iconic coastal drives is finally reopening. As of Friday morning, Pacific Coast Highway will once again connect Los Angeles through Pacific Palisades to Malibu—just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
The 11-mile stretch of road through Pacific Palisades, battered by January’s Palisades Fire and subsequent mudslides, has been closed to everyone except local residents, emergency workers and the occasional daring seagull. But thanks to Governor Gavin Newsom’s “all-hands-on-deck” initiative, cleanup crews have been working around the clock to fast-track the reopening. Originally expected to remain shut well into summer, the scenic highway is back far ahead of schedule.
More than 100 crews from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been removing a jaw-dropping 1,284 truckloads of debris daily, turning PCH into both a recovery site and a haul route. The effort included clearing charred home sites, removing toxic ash, repairing the road surface and reinstalling critical utility lines.
On Friday, two lanes—one in each direction—will open to the public, with active work zones and law enforcement patrolling for safety. And don’t even think about speeding: Drivers caught breaking traffic laws in construction zones could face double fines, according to Sgt. Christopher Soderlund of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The reopening is a lifeline for Malibu’s embattled small business community. “They lost their Christmas income, and since then there’s some businesses who haven’t been able to pay their rent at all for six months, Barbara Bruderlin, CEO of the PaliBu Chamber of Commerce, told The Malibu Times. “Homeowners should be aware that the future of their town is going to depend on their support of local business.”
Meanwhile, Topanga Canyon Boulevard is also reopening—with restrictions—from 6am to 6pm, connecting the San Fernando Valley back to the coast.
Whether you’re headed to the beach, brunch in Malibu or just looking for a dramatic Sunday drive, the PCH is finally back in action. Just expect a few cones and construction vests along the way.