Unstable rocks cause traffic squeeze on Laguna Canyon Road

The stretch of Laguna Canyon Road between Woodland Drive and Canyon Acres Drive is open but will be limited to one lane in each direction this weekend following a temporary closure Friday by the California Department of Transportation.

Laguna Canyon Road was closed in both directions roughly between El Toro Road and Canyon Acres from 9 a.m. Friday until about 11:15 a.m. The closure of the road, one of only three routes into Laguna Beach, was prompted by unsteady boulders on a hillside in the 1100 block, Laguna Beach police Sgt. Jim Cota said on Twitter.

Caltrans removed the boulders.

A city news release stated the rocks became loose during a small slide at about 4:15 a.m. Thursday on the west side of Laguna Canyon Road, south of Canyon Acres.

The rockslide, which police said damaged one vehicle, blocked the inbound side of Laguna Canyon Road. The route was later reopened in both directions Thursday but was partially closed again at about 3:15 p.m. because of the unsteady boulders.

The rockslide followed a storm that doused Orange County on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, with parts of Laguna Beach receiving nearly two inches of rain.

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