Sunny Skies Allow More Road Repairs

Following two days of sunshine, workers began to get the upper hand Sunday in reopening roads closed during the recent destructive storms, though some routes were expected to remain closed or restricted today.

“Commuters are advised to observe road closure signs and not attempt to drive around closure barricades at any time,” the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works said in a statement. “Also, anticipate heavy traffic congestion due to several [recent] road closures.”

Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Coldwater Canyon Drive and Mulholland Drive -- between the 101 and 405 freeways -- all began “rolling” closures over the weekend for cleanup efforts that are likely to continue for the next couple of days. They will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on various sections of the roadways.

Northbound Laurel Canyon at Mount Olympus Drive is closed, with traffic being rerouted.

Some Hollywood-area surface streets are open only to residents, according to the Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Department.

Transportation officials on Sunday reopened two highways into resort areas in the San Bernardino Mountains that were closed because of mud and boulders.

California 38 and California 330 were reopened, with no restrictions, according to Caltrans. California 18, however, remained closed for repairs, Caltrans said.

In the Santa Clarita Valley, Sierra Highway between Vasquez Canyon Road and Agua Dulce Canyon Road is scheduled to reopen at 5 this morning, county officials said.

Several streets in the Ventura County community of La Conchita, where emergency workers are still digging for bodies from a mudslide, will remain closed at least through the week, according to Ventura County officials.

The main thoroughfare, U.S. Highway 101, has reopened.

State officials estimate that the record-breaking storms caused at least $50 million in damage to roads and highways.

Updated road-closure information is available on these government websites:

* The state Department of Transportation provides a daily commuter alert: www.dot.ca.gov.

* The city of Los Angeles Emergency Operations Organization offers road-closure information: www.updatela.com.

* Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Works lists road closures in unincorporated areas: www.ladpw.org/rmd/roadclosure.