The California Department of Transportation said Totoga Canyon Avenue will be closed due to public safety concerns, while crew members work to fix Palisade’s firefighting and recent rainfall losses.
Caltrans released a video in mid-February showing Interstate 27 between the Pacific Coast Expressway and Grand View Drive was completely covered with mud, rock and debris before excavation. According to a community update released last week, there are no estimated time to reopen. Caltrans does not outline alternative routes for drivers.
The news said that in addition to repairs carried out after the fire and the recent flow of debris, the Caltlanders discovered and destroyed a huge boulder (about the size of an RV) that was located above the road near the power cord.
Utilities must rerout a major water supply line and underground wire under the road. Before the rain, workers found more than 20 sites along Topanga Canyon Boulevard that required debris flow barriers and culvert replacements, as well as other safety measures such as Rockfall Cable Mesh.
“We recognize the critical role these corridors play in the cleanup and restoration efforts of residents and the public. The decision to reopen the lane must be a common decision of all parties and have specific plans and cited on the highest consideration,” Caltrans said.
The department said it will investigate limited access to the area as repairs continue.
