United States - February 26, 2025 A deafening explosion echoed through the rugged hills of Topanga Canyon this week as Caltrans crews detonated a towering boulder teetering precariously above State Route 27. The dramatic operation, carried out on Monday, February 24, marked a critical step in the ongoing battle to clear the highway, which has been closed for an indefinite period following a devastating rainstorm that unleashed mudflows and washed out sections of the roadway. The boulder, a colossal slab measuring 30 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 10 feet high, loomed unstably between postmiles 2.1 and 1.7, posing a severe threat to workers and the road below. Perched near a powerline, its removal required meticulous coordination with utility companies to cut power and secure the area. For days, the site was a no-go zone—even for Caltrans maintenance teams, contractors, and utility workers—as preparations for the blast unfolded. When the moment arrived, the controlled explosion shattered the rock, allowing crews to finally resume clearing the mud and debris choking SR-27. The highway, also known as Topanga Canyon Boulevard, has been shut down between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive since the storm struck, compounding existing damage from earlier wildfires. Washed-out sections now demand structural repairs, while utility companies scramble to reroute a main water line and complete underground electrical work. These efforts will force one-way traffic control in the coming weeks, further complicating recovery. Before the rain hit, Caltrans engineers had already flagged over 20 vulnerable spots along the route needing debris flow barriers, culvert replacements, and slope-stabilizing measures like rockfall cable mesh. While the boulder’s destruction is a victory, the road to reopening remains uncertain. Caltrans is working tirelessly, balancing emergency access for first responders with cautious exploration of limited public access when conditions allow. Yet, with cleanup, repairs, and weather dictating the timeline, no reopening date is in sight. The agency has pledged to collaborate with the California Highway Patrol, utility providers, and other agencies to devise a safe reopening strategy, emphasizing that safety remains paramount. For now, the residents of Topanga Canyon—and the countless drivers who rely on SR-27—wait anxiously, their recovery tethered to a highway still scarred by nature’s fury and the thunderous echo of a boulder’s end.