Topanga Canyon still ‘too dangerous’ to reopen
One of the most scenic and heavily traveled canyon roads in Los Angeles County has been closed for two weeks due to a crumbling hillside, and officials still have no idea when it will reopen.
The southern section of Topanga Canyon from Grand View Drive to Pacific Coast Highway was shut down on March 11 as torrential rain swept through Southern California, causing the ground to give way near the town of Topanga.
Malibu Canyon and the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu were also temporarily closed from separate slides.
While many other roads impacted by the weather have since reopened – at least partially – State Road 27 has remained closed as Caltrans workers try to stabilize the slope.
“[The landslide] is still moving and is too dangerous to begin clearing,” Caltrans spokesperson Jim Medina told KTLA 5 News on Tuesday.
Ground and aerial photos show the immense scale of the slide with dirt and boulders completely covering the narrow canyon road.
“More rocks and dirt continue to fall from an unstable hillside to broaden a landslide that is covering the roadway at postmile 1.8,” Caltrans District 7 said in a social media update. “There is concern that rain over this past weekend added to the already saturated hills.”
Complicating matters, Caltrans says, is more rain in the forecast for this weekend.
The National Weather Service expects 1-3 inches of rain with amounts up to 4 inches Friday through Saturday along the coastal areas and valleys.
“Geologists continue to assess the best way to clear the roadway and secure the unstable hillside,” Caltrans said, with the bolded words “Unknown Duration.”
Drivers are urged to follow Caltrans District 7 on X, formerly Twitter, @CaltransDist7.
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