Gov. Gavin Newsom had previously announced that the roadway between Malibu and Santa Monica would be reopened by the end of May. Newsom hailed the planned Friday reopening as a major step forward in the fire-recovery effort.

Pacific Coast Highway, which has been largely off-limits to all but residents, first responders and cleanup crews since the Jan. 7 fire, will reopen to all traffic.

Though PCH will once again welcome traffic, the Pacific Palisades will remain closed to the public, with law enforcement checkpoints.