Access to Pacific Coast Highway between Santa Monica and Malibu, which had been restricted since the Palisades fire erupted Jan. 7, was expanded this week for residents, business and other traffic.
As of 6 a.m. Thursday, the route was opened to residents of the Pacific Palisades and Malibu burn areas, along with essential businesses and school bus traffic, according to Caltrans.
Residents and business owners in the area will need to have access passes to use the roadway. Residents in Malibu and unincorporated areas can obtain access passes at Malibu City Hall, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road. Pacific Palisades residents can obtain passes from Los Angeles city staff at the Disaster Recovery Center at 10850 Pico Blvd.
“The PCH closure has been challenging for our residents who need to get to and from work, school, and essential trips,” county Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said in a statement. “As PCH reopens, we have streamlined the process for them to more easily navigate checkpoints and access their properties.”
RELATED: ‘We’re gonna be on the roads’: In Eaton, Palisades fire clean-ups, get ready for lots of trucks
Caltrans officials noted that restrictions will still be in place:
— PCH is reduced to one lane in each direction with a 25 mph speed limit between Chautauqua Boulevard in Pacific Palisades and Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu
— All signalized intersections are on flashing red and should be treated as a four-way stop, even if the intersection is dark due to a power outage
— No parking or stopping is permitted, and no pedestrians are allowed in the work zone
— No vehicle passing is permitted
— There is one lane through the McClure Tunnel from the westbound 10 Freeway to northbound PCH, and one lane entering northbound PCH from the California Incline. Those two lanes merge into one lane, potentially causing delays.
PCH still remains closed to general traffic, “and only essential travel is recommended,” according to Caltrans. People trying to reach Malibu can use the 101 Freeway and Las Virgenes Road/Malibu Canyon Road or Kanan Dume Road.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles County officials announced the reopening of four county-maintained roads in the area that were closed due to the recent storms.
Piuma Road, Rambla Pacifico Street, Schueren Road and Saddle Peak Road all reopened Thursday morning. Tuna Canyon Road remains closed, and Las Flores Canyon Road is open to residents only.