Good news for coastal commuters and summer travelers: the Pacific Coast Highway will reopen by the end of May.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), closed since January’s L.A. wildfires that devastated hillside neighborhoods and coastal infrastructure, will officially reopen to the public.
Currently, PCH is only open to essential workers, contractors, and residents within the burn zone. But by end of May, according to the Governor’s Office, PCH will reopen with one lane in each direction for public use.
What’s Planned For PCH, Ahead of Its Reopening
To fast-track the reopening of a critical coastal route, crews from California’s Office of Emergency Services, Caltrans, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been working around the clock to clear debris, remove fire-damaged structures, and repair damaged infrastructure. More than 100 crews are currently in the area, hauling over 1,200 truckloads of debris per day, according to the announcement.
In addition to debris removal, roadway repairs and new utility equipment installations are underway to ensure the highway’s safety and functionality. Once the highway reopens, existing checkpoints will be removed, though law enforcement presence will remain to oversee travel.
How To Stay Updated With Current Road Closures
As always, conditions can change. Here’s how to get real-time road updates:
- Caltrans Mobile QuickMap website and app
- Caltrans accounts on X
- District 7 – Los Angeles/Ventura – @CaltransDist7
- LA County Public Works Road Closure Website – See updates for roads maintained by LA County Public Works.
- Google Maps – They are updating road closure information in real time.
For the latest information on wildfire recovery and road conditions, you can visit CA.gov/LAfires.
We’ll keep you posted on the exact reopening date as it’s confirmed!