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Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Western LA County Set to Reopen June 2
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Caltrans crews work to prepare Topanga Canyon Boulevard for its opening this weekend. (CalTrans)
By Jill McLaughlin
5/31/2024Updated: 5/31/2024

A stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard connecting Malibu and western San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County that was damaged by spring storms is scheduled to reopen June 2, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced May 31.

This week, about three months ahead of schedule, state road crews plan to finish repairing a section hit by a landslide during a March storm.

The storm sent dirt, rocks, and car-sized boulders onto the roadway, prompting transportation officials to close it at the end of March.

The closure blocked local access for residents, including the community of Topanga. Drivers faced hours-long detours and businesses lost revenue, the governor reported.

In a video announcing the opening on X, the governor thanked the men and women of the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) for working overtime to get the project done.

“I cannot overstate just how important it has been for the state and everyone involved to see Topanga Canyon Boulevard open as quickly and as safely as possible,” Mr. Newsom said in a statement Friday.

Crews faced challenging conditions for the repair work, according to the governor, including an unstable slope above the road.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard is also the evacuation route for Topanga Canyon, making the reopening especially critical during fire season, which is usually from April through October in California.

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Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.

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