The Pacific Coast Highway between Malibu and Santa Monica reopened on Friday morning, months after the Palisades Fire in January tore through the community and destroyed thousands of homes in the area.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the reopening on Thursday.
“In California, we get stuff done, period. We’re opening the PCH back up early, with more lanes before Angelenos hit the road this Memorial Day,” Newsom said in a statement.
The area had been closed off to the public following the fires; however, residents, first responders, and cleanup crews were allowed in. Drivers should be aware, however, that repair work will continue as the area opens up.
“PCH will have two lanes in each direction with lane shifts where repair work continues,” Lauren Wonder, a spokesperson for Caltrans, said. “This isn't still an active construction zone. There will be a 25-mile-per-hour speed limit.”
California Highway Patrol Assistant Chief José Nuñez told KNX News’ Jon Baird that officers will be in the area to make sure that traffic is flowing smoothly and safely.
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“We want to keep motoring traffic [sic],” he said. “Operations [are] still continuing, and this is going to be an extremely busy weekend [with] Memorial [Day] traffic, so we want to keep everyone safe.”
Drivers should also expect delays due to traffic and repair work and urged to allow for extra time to get to their destination or take a different route.
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