Governor Newsom announces Pacific Coast Highway will reopen in time for summer as California’s all-in fire response continues ahead of schedule
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~ Los Angeles, CA - Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) will reopen to public travel by the end of May, months ahead of schedule. The highway was closed following the Palisades Fire and has only been accessible to residents living in the burn area, essential businesses, and repair crews.

The PCH is a vital route for hundreds of thousands of Angelenos and visitors from around the world, connecting Los Angeles with Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and points north. With the busy summer months approaching, Governor Newsom has made it a top priority to expedite fire cleanup efforts in order to support local businesses and tourism.

"We understand how essential this route is for daily life and local businesses," said Governor Newsom. "Reopening PCH is a top priority, and we are going all-in to get this done."

To achieve this goal, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services and Caltrans will be working closely with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to prioritize cleanup efforts along PCH. Additional crews will be brought in to quickly clear debris from affected parcels so that the highway can be safely reopened.

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These crews will work around the clock, 24/7, to demolish damaged homes, remove toxic ash and soot, repair roadways, and install new utility equipment. Currently, there are over 100 USACE crews working on parcels affected by the Palisades Fire. They are removing nearly 1,284 truckloads of debris per day.

Once their work is complete, PCH will be able to safely reopen with one lane in each direction. The security checkpoints currently in place at both ends of the closure will be removed once the highway is reopened. However, there will still be a strong law enforcement presence from state and local agencies.

As the deadline for debris removal assistance approaches on April 15th, homeowners and businesses are urged to apply for assistance. The state has allocated $10 million to support fire-impacted small businesses, nonprofits, and workers through the LA Rises program, in addition to $19.1 million from LA-area grant programs.

The federal government has also recognized California's Jobs First regional plans, allowing communities across the state to accelerate local economic investment. This will create new opportunities for state economic investment and coordination.

To stay updated on the latest progress in wildfire recovery, visit https://www.ca.gov/LAfires/. With the reopening of PCH ahead of schedule, Governor Newsom's all-in fire response continues to support the recovery efforts in California.

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