Motorists and residents in the Topanga area should plan for delays on Thursday while Caltrans conducts brush clearance along Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
The work is scheduled to take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. A flagging operation will be in place one mile north of Pacific Coast Highway. Delays are expected and motorists should consider an alternate route.
The brush clearance project is ongoing and is expected to finish by June, according to a Caltrans press release.
“This is a necessary effort to enhance safety and reduce fire fuel levels along the highway,” said District 7 Deputy Director of Maintenance Dan Freeman. “Although this is routine work, we’ll need the support of motorists and residents to ensure their safety and the safety of our employees in the work zone.”
As part of a Topanga Canyon Boulevard (TCB) Partners project, Caltrans will use mowers and other mechanical tools instead of herbicides to remove brush and other vegetation along the highway.
Controversy erupted last year when Caltrans was found to have used pesticides along the side of the main road, drawing a sharp rebuke from the eco-friendly community. Residents said a long-standing agreement had been breached, while Caltrans said cutbacks made manual maintenance fiscally difficult.