All those stars living in the Malibu area — and the common folk too — can rejoice: PCH finally reopens to traffic Friday.
The opening of the final stretch of Pacific Coast Highway north of Malibu that was closed in early December due to storm-driven mud and rock slides clears the path for motorists traveling between Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
A nine-mile stretch of PCH between Las Posas and Yerba Buena roads was closed after the December slides, which left the road buried under 4-6 feet of mud and rocks. The debris fell thanks to rain that pelted the nearby hillsides, which were left largely bare by the May 2013 Springs Fire.
Exacerbating the situation was high surf that also damaged the pavement.
On Feb. 3, six miles between Las Posas Road and Sycamore Cove were reopened, but three miles from Sycamore to Yerba Buena remained blocked.
Caltrans and area elected officials are taking part in a news conference to celebrate the Friday afternoon reopening.
— City News Service