In a state where getting from point A to point B almost always means getting behind the wheel, even a single-lane closure can throw an entire commute off course. From daily work trips to weekend drives up the coast, Southern Californians depend on their cars more than almost anywhere else in the country.
This week, new lane closures are coming to one of the region’s busiest coastal routes: drivers using Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard should prepare for delays, especially during daytime.
The closures are part of an ongoing emergency repair project restoring infrastructure damaged by the 2025 Palisades Fire and the winter storms that followed. While both PCH and SR-27 have reopened to the public, they’re still active construction zones with reduced speed limits and intermittent lane closures as crews repair retaining walls, drainage systems, slopes, utilities, and traffic signals.
The overall emergency repair effort along PCH is expected to wrap up later this summer.
Where and when is PCH shutting down this week?
Drivers traveling between Temescal Canyon Road and Carbon Beach Terrace should be prepared for intermittent single-lane closures between 9 AM and 3 PM on weekdays, with some work continuing until 4 or 4:30 PM. The biggest traffic impacts include:
- Big Rock Drive: Southern California Edison crews will close one lane in each direction Monday through Wednesday from 9 AM to 4 PM.
- Pena Road to Tuna Canyon Road: Southbound traffic may be reduced to one lane while crews rebuild a retaining wall.
- Near Topanga Canyon Boulevard: Northbound lanes may be reduced for slope stabilization and culvert cleanup.
- PCH at SR-27: Verizon utility work will narrow traffic where crews are actively working.
- PCH & Rambla Pacifico intersection: From 8 PM Friday through 10 AM Saturday, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction while the signal is repaired. During that time, the traffic light will be turned off, meaning drivers must treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Meanwhile, Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27) remains under strict traffic controls. A 15 mph speed limit is in effect through the main Caltrans work zone, and overnight pavement rehabilitation will reduce traffic to a single lane between 10 PM and 6 AM, Monday night through Saturday morning.
Caltrans recommends traveling outside construction hours whenever possible and checking live traffic conditions before heading out. If your destination allows it, inland routes such as US-101 via Malibu Canyon Road (Las Virgenes Road) or Interstate 405 may be faster alternatives while work is underway.
You can also monitor real-time lane closures and traffic conditions using the Caltrans QuickMap before hitting the road.
