The city will use its own money to repair damaged suffered from last month’s storm, beginning with Fernhill Drive on Monday.
City Manager Katie Lichtig said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has requested that the federal government declare Los Angeles County a disaster area so repair projects, such as the one at Fernhill Drive, would be reimbursed. Lichtig said a letter was sent by the governor to the White House, but there has not yet been a response.
Public Works Director Yugal Lall said last week that Fernhill Drive from Sea Ranch Way to Grayfox Street and Rambla Vista near the intersection with Pacific Coast Highway are reduced to one lane due to storm damage. Storm drains have also collapsed on Fernhill Drive and Birdview Avenue. Additionally, mud debris has fallen on streets throughout the city.
Topanga Canyon Boulevard is slowly returning to normalcy as, beginning this week, one lane of the road between Pacific Coast Highway and Grandview Drive is open alternately to two-way traffic from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. According to the California Department of Transportation, construction on Topanga Canyon Boulevard should begin on Feb. 5.
Repairs include a 180 foot-long retaining wall and rebuilding of the roadway. Caltrans approximates the repairs will take seven weeks and cost $1.2 million.
Because of storm damage, Zuma Canyon and Solstice Canyon parks are closed until April 30 at the earliest. Extensive soil erosion has caused damage to the parks’ trails and parking areas.