Latest news with #MarianneRiggins
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Pacific Coast Highway reopens early following Palisades Fire closure
Pacific Coast Highway reopened to all traffic Friday morning, marking a major recovery milestone following months of closure due to the devastating Palisades Fire. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced earlier this week that the iconic highway would reopen at 8 a.m. Friday, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend and ahead of the end-of-May target set last month. Up to two lanes are now open in each direction, with a 25 mph speed limit through active work zones. The reopening restores access to Malibu's beaches and communities after months of limited mobility along the coast. PCH had been closed since January, when mudslides and fire debris rendered it impassable in key segments. The early reopening was made possible through coordinated efforts among Caltrans, the California National Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Los Angeles County agencies, officials said. 'The reopening of Pacific Coast Highway marks an important step in Malibu's ongoing recovery from the recent wildfires,' Malibu Mayor Marianne Riggins said Thursday. 'The City remains focused on ensuring public safety as we enter the summer season.' Highway 27/Topanga Canyon Boulevard also reopened to the public Friday morning from PCH to Grand View Drive. Access is limited from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with construction remaining ongoing. Flaggers will be on site to direct one-way traffic, and delays are expected. Traffic signals at several PCH intersections, including Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Big Rock Drive, are operating in flashing red mode, requiring drivers to treat them as all-way stops. Additional work continues on the southbound side of PCH, where the right lane may close between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for debris removal. Visitors are advised to plan ahead, expect delays, and use alternate routes like Malibu Canyon and Kanan Dume roads when possible. City officials also urge travelers to avoid stopping in burn areas and to respect local residents still recovering from the fire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
In post-fire milestone, Pacific Coast Highway reopens, clearing traffic bottleneck
In a major post-fire milestone Friday, Pacific Coast Highway reopened to traffic for the first time since the Palisades fire incinerated homes and businesses along the oceanfront in January. The reopening of an 11-mile stretch of PCH will offer greater access to Malibu and Pacific Palisades and may ease commutes for those trying to get to Los Angeles from Ventura County and the west Valley. The reopening also marks an important step forward in recovery efforts in the Palisades, according to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. At 8 a.m. Friday, authorities opened one lane of traffic in both directions. However, officials urged drivers to be cautious since road crews are still doing work in the area. The speed limit has been reduced to 25 mph and traffic signals at Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Big Rock Drive, La Costa Beach Club and Carbon Canyon Road are set for flashing red, meaning drivers will have to stop. "The reopening of Pacific Coast Highway marks an important step in Malibu's ongoing recovery from the recent wildfires. While significant challenges remain, this development helps restore limited access for residents and travelers along the coast," Malibu Mayor Mayor Marianne Riggins said in a statement. Traffic is expected to be very heavy this Memorial Day weekend as people head to area beaches. Motorists are also likely to encounter a heavy security presence as authorities continue to restrict access into the burn areas. The Malibu City Council on Wednesday approved a contract with a private security firm to provide armed patrols to neighborhoods ravaged by the Palisades and Franklin fires in anticipation of the highway reopening. "In California, we get stuff done, period," Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. "We're opening the PCH back up early, with more lanes before Angelenos hit the road this Memorial Day. We are able to do this thanks to the tireless work of hundreds of construction and road crews and with help from our partners at the Army Corps of Engineers.' This is a developing story and will be updated. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
As PCH reopens, Malibu urges beachgoers to be safe and respectful
Pacific Coast Highway will reopen to the public Friday morning, just in time for Memorial Day weekend, and as Malibu prepares for the summer season with new safety and enforcement measures in place. The highway will open at 8 a.m. with no pass requirements, restoring a major coastal route that had been closed due to wildfire recovery efforts. Up to two lanes will be open in each direction with a 25 mph speed limit through active work zones, officials said. 'The reopening of Pacific Coast Highway marks an important step in Malibu's ongoing recovery from the recent wildfires,' said Mayor Marianne Riggins. 'While significant challenges remain, this development helps restore limited access for residents and travelers along the coast.' Traffic signals will operate on flashing red at several intersections including Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Big Rock Drive, with normal operation resuming elsewhere. Southbound PCH will see intermittent lane closures between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for debris removal. Stopping in the burn areas remains prohibited. As the city expects an influx of visitors, it's encouraging people to consider alternate routes such as Malibu Canyon and Kanan Dume roads to avoid congestion. The City Council has also approved private armed security patrols beginning Memorial Day weekend to help protect fire-damaged properties as the California National Guard ends its deployment. Visitors are asked not to interfere with cleanup efforts or enter private property. The City will also reopen its summer impound yard at Malibu High School starting Saturday to help tow illegally parked vehicles on weekends and holidays. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will return with its Summer Beach Enforcement Team to crack down on public drinking and help prevent impaired driving. Officials are reminding beachgoers to park safely, dispose of trash and respect private property. Dogs, alcohol and fires are prohibited on Malibu beaches, and visitors are urged to use caution on beaches without lifeguards. More details are available at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
