Topanga Traffic Crunch Is Eased…Sort Of:

Tony Morris Special to the Mirror Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and Grandview Drive is now open to two-way traffic for an additional two hours. The new hours are: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Flagmen are posted at the site of the damaged roadway, one half mile south of Fernwood Pacific Drive, to assist drivers,  who should expect delays. Heavy rains in early January brought mudslides, the overflow of Topanga creek, a 300 ton boulder which blocked both lanes of the roadway until it was removed  by explosives, and a collapsed section of pavement. The boulevard is now undergoing a $1.2 million repair that includes the construction of a 180-foot-long retaining wall as well as rebuilding the roadway. The completion date for repairs has been extended to early May, owing to a revision in the design. A large sign has been placed on the boulevard, south of Mulholland Drive, by the Topanga Chamber of Commerce and the Topanga Canyon Town Council, to inform drivers that all Topanga businesses are open for business during the road repair.For up to date information on Topanga Canyon Boulevard log on to the website of the Topanga Coalition For Emergency Preparedness at: www.t-cep.org