Some of the Pacific Coast Expressways in Southern California, which have only been open to locals since the January fires were opened to the public in time for summer, could be open to the public in time for summer, the governor’s office announced.
Gavin Newsom said one lane travelling on the PCH in each direction of the Pacific Palisades PCH should be open to drivers by the end of May.
“We understand how essential this route is for everyday life and for local businesses,” Newsmu said in his announcement. “Resuming PCH is a top priority and we’re all in to get this done.”
On January 7th, an extreme wind in Santa Ana blew into the sea from Malibu, causing a fire in Palisade amid the 7th of January, destroying more than 6,800 homes and buildings and killing 12 people. Winter rain followed the Firestorm, with streams of mud and debris washing down the highway and pushing firefighters’ vehicles into the sea.
More than 100 trucks, excavators and other equipment work on the highway, carrying more than 1,200 debris per day, the governor’s office said.
Currently, PCH is only open to residents living in the Palisades Fire Burn area. The Emergency Services Department is working with the California Department of Transport and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clean up destroyed homes, remove toxic ashes and soot, and repair roads.
Security checkpoints at the north and south ends of the closure will be removed when the highway reopens to the public. Law enforcement from state and local agencies will remain in the area.
For additional information regarding the status of Wildfire Recovery, please visit www.ca.gov/lafires.
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